The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that September saw the highest number of Afghan nationals returning from Iran, with 230,000 arrivals recorded.
This marks a significant increase in returnees, surpassing the previous high in May, when just over 190,000 Afghans returned, IOM reports.
Of the total returnees in September, 43 percent were deported, while 50 percent returned voluntarily, according to the IOM’s report.
The report, which tracked the movement of Afghan nationals between September 22 and 28, detailed the inflow and outflow patterns between Afghanistan and its neighboring countries.
“Inflows from the Islamic Republic of Iran make up nearly three-quarters of the total, with approximately 91,000 Afghans entering the country this week alone,” the IOM stated. In comparison, inflows from Pakistan accounted for just 29 percent.
The volume of people returning to Afghanistan from Iran is currently 75 percent higher than the number of Afghans leaving the country.
The surge in returnees comes amid growing pressure from both Iran and Pakistan to deport Afghan migrants. Last week, a senior Iranian official emphasized that no country would permit undocumented foreign nationals to remain within its borders, signaling Iran’s continued deportation efforts.
