Iran’s interior minister said the deportation of Afghan migrants was the country’s initial step in addressing what it sees as an ongoing challenge, underscoring Tehran’s efforts to balance security measures with maintaining ties with its eastern neighbor.
Speaking to Iranian media, Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni said that while Iran aimed to remove unauthorized foreign nationals, it sought to avoid actions that could strain relations with Afghanistan.
“The first step is to remove unauthorized foreign nationals from the country; however, we must not do anything that creates a divide between the two neighbors,” he said.
Momeni also noted that physical border barriers alone would not resolve the issue, emphasizing the need for additional measures.
“This measure slows and controls entry and exit. Additionally, we must increase the costs for those who employ unauthorized foreign workers, as well as for the unauthorized migrants themselves,” he said.
His remarks come as Iran hosts one of the world’s largest refugee populations. On Wednesday, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) reported that Iran is home to at least 3.8 million refugees and refugee-like individuals, including more than one million Afghans who have arrived since 2021.
Despite growing strain on public services, Iran has continued to offer health care and education to Afghan migrants. The government has also introduced Smart ID Cards for registered individuals, providing documentation and facilitating access to basic services.
