Iran’s Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, announced on Tuesday that the country has reached its capacity to accept Afghan nationals and will prioritize the deportation of undocumented migrants.
Speaking to reporters, Momeni emphasized that addressing the presence of unauthorized migrants is a national issue and highlighted that Iran’s law enforcement agencies are at the forefront of implementing the policy. “The issue of undocumented migrants is a national matter, and naturally, the police are on the front line,” Momeni said, adding that this has been made a priority for law enforcement.
The minister explained that substantial national resources have been allocated to supporting Afghan migrants, and reiterated that Iran no longer has the capacity to accommodate them. He also confirmed that the government has developed plans to carry out the deportations.
Momeni’s comments come as reports from Afghan migrants in Iran indicate an increase in harsh treatment by both Iranian authorities and citizens. In recent weeks, Iran has escalated its efforts to deport Afghan nationals, issuing directives that prohibit employers from hiring Afghan workers.
Iran has long been a destination for Afghan migrants, but the country’s economic struggles and rising domestic pressures have led to stricter immigration policies, sparking concern over the fate of the millions of Afghans residing there.
