Hassan Kazemi Qomi, Iran’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, has denied reports claiming that Iranian border guards shot and killed dozens of Afghan migrants attempting to cross the border illegally.
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Qomi stated that “after direct follow-ups with credible sources, it has been confirmed that these reports are not accurate.”
Kazemi Qomi emphasized that enforcing border security and addressing illegal entry are legitimate rights of any country. “Legal action against unauthorized entry by foreign nationals is the sovereign right of every nation, and border forces have the duty to prevent unlawful crossings,” he wrote on Wednesday.
He further noted that border management is a mutual responsibility, underscoring the obligation of neighboring countries to prevent unauthorized crossings and to adhere to international commitments regarding border security.
The report initially came from Haalvsh, an Iran-based human rights organization that released video footage allegedly showing dozens of Afghan migrants being shot by Iranian border guards as they attempted to enter Iran illegally. Haalvsh, which focuses on issues in Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan Province, reported that the incident involved Afghan migrants attempting unauthorized entry.
The allegations have sparked strong reactions both within Afghanistan and internationally, as tensions surrounding border security and migrant rights continue to mount.
