Iran: 717,000 Afghans Left the Country Since the Beginning of the Year

Kokcha News Agency: Nader Yar Ahmadi, Director General of Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Interior, stated in a televised interview that the issue of Afghan nationals leaving Iran has become a major public demand. He said, “From the beginning of the year until July 6, 717,658 Afghans have left the country through the three border crossings of Dogharun, Milak, and the South Khorasan border.”

Yar Ahmadi added, “More than 80% of those currently leaving the country are voluntary returnees; they have come forward on their own to return to their homeland. This process continues, and to facilitate it, temporary camps and infrastructure have been strengthened with the help of provincial governments.”

He also noted that individuals who were residing in Iran illegally, particularly those with census registration cards, had until July 15 to leave the country. This deadline was chosen to accommodate the academic schedules of their children, ensuring that exams and the issuance of report cards could be completed properly, and that the departure would be as smooth and less traumatic as possible.

Yar Ahmadi further stated, “Last week, which marked the peak of departures, more than 29,000 people left the country through the Dogharun border in a single day. Naturally, the existing infrastructure was not able to handle this volume.”

Referring to his recent visit to the borders and negotiations with Afghan officials, he added, “We have informed the Taliban authorities that we are ready to form joint committees if necessary to resolve these issues, and we will continue this bilateral cooperation to preserve the dignity of migrants.”

Yar Ahmadi also announced, “If someone has been unable to leave on time due to illness, legal cases, or special circumstances, we have set up medical commissions, and in cases such as fines for delayed departure, we have asked the police to show maximum leniency.”

He emphasized, “There is no systematic process to violate the rights of migrants, and if any such cases arise, we are prepared to address them. Iran is committed to upholding ethical and legal principles at all stages. For Afghan nationals who are legally residing in the country, there has been no change in their residency or services. On the contrary, with the departure of illegal residents, more facilities have been made available to them.”