Iran has seen a dramatic increase in the deportation of Afghan nationals as tensions with Israel rise, resulting in over 1.5 million Afghans fleeing the country since January, according to the UN Refugee Agency. Many deported individuals claim to have faced brutal treatment, including accusations of espionage.
Some Afghan refugees, like Ali Ahmad, recounted their harrowing experiences while detained in Iran. He showed reporters bruises on his back, claiming Iranian authorities had beaten him and accused him of being a spy. "They treated us like animals," Ahmad declared, highlighting the pervasive fear among Afghans now facing stigma and discrimination in Iran.
As the conflict with Israel escalated, Tehran ramped up its deportations, primarily citing national security concerns. Reports indicate that daily returns peaked at around 50,000 people in early July. Ahmad, who had lived in Iran for two and a half years, alleged that officials confiscated his belongings, leaving him stranded as he attempted to return to Afghanistan.
Accusations of espionage have proliferated, with the Iranian media claiming connections between Afghan migrants and Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad. Many Afghans in Iran express fears of being labeled as spies, saying, "We're afraid to go anywhere." The Iranian government, amidst rising issues with its domestic security, may be seeking scapegoats for its failures in the conflict with Israel.
Abdullah Rezaee, another deportee, experienced similar brutality, stating that Iranian police destroyed his visa and passport and subjected him to harsh treatment. Since the onset of the renewed hostilities from Israel, the Iranian government has intensified the search for "suspicious activities," often targeting Afghans.
This crackdown coincides with increasing public sentiment against Afghans in Iran, fueled by state media portrayals that depict them as an economic burden and potential threats. Social media has amplified this anti-Afghan narrative, leading to a significant backlash against immigrant communities long established in Iran.
The mass deportation has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, which is currently struggling to accommodate the influx from Iran and critically lacks resources. Experts warn that Afghanistan’s capacity to reabsorb these returnees is alarmingly low, particularly under the Taliban’s rule.
Previous waves of Afghan refugees, particularly during the Soviet invasion and the return of the Taliban in 2021, led to initial hospitality in Iran. However, rising hostility towards Afghans has shifted public perception dramatically. Before the recent conflict, there were various efforts to support Afghan migrants, but current sentiments have become deeply polarized, alarming humanitarian advocates.
Activists have called for a change in how Afghan migrants are treated in Iran, but the narrative that currently dominates public discourse remains hostile. As Abdullah expressed, "I lost everything," reflecting the devastating impact of the increased deportations on individuals and families.
By Babrak Ehsas, Yasin Rasouli, Rowan Ings, and Sucheera Maguire, with additional reporting by Soroush Pakzad.
