Several families say they remain unable to contact relatives living in Iran, days after telecommunications disruptions left families in the dark during a period of heightened regional tensions.
Despite official statements from Tehran claiming that phone and internet services have returned to normal following a cease-fire agreement with Israel, many Afghan families report that they still have no news from loved ones across the border.
The outages began after recent escalations between Iran and Israel, during which large swaths of Iran experienced severe internet and telecommunications blackouts. While Iranian authorities have since declared a return to normalcy, the reality for many remains far from that.
“I haven’t heard from my brother in days,” said Fariba, a Badakhshan resident, who asked not to be identified for security reasons. “We don’t know if he’s safe. The lines are dead, and we’re desperate for any news.”
The situation is especially distressing for families whose relatives are undocumented migrants in Iran. Some fear that their loved ones may face threats not only from Iranian authorities amid growing crackdowns but also from Taliban retribution if they are forced to return.
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Iran has stated that the disruptions were temporary and due to security measures. However, Afghans continue to express frustration and fear.
“We cannot contact them. There is no internet. We don’t know in which situation they are. And whether they’re alive or dead,” said Naha, another Badakhshan resident.
The communications blackout has come amid broader challenges facing Afghan migrants in Iran, where economic hardship, anti-immigrant sentiment, and legal insecurity have placed thousands at risk. For those awaiting word from missing family members, the silence is becoming unbearable.
