Irans Expulsion of Afghans Deepens Afghanistans Humanitarian Crisis
3 minute readPublished: Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 12:02 pm
Iran's Expulsion of Afghans Deepens Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
Recent actions by Iran are significantly worsening the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Since March 2024, Iran has expelled over 1.2 million Afghan nationals, with a sharp acceleration following its June conflict with Israel. This mass deportation is exacerbating an already dire situation for Afghan refugees and internally displaced persons.
Afghanistan is grappling with a massive displacement crisis, with over 2.6 million registered refugees and 3.5 million internally displaced people. Iran has historically hosted a large Afghan population, estimated at 4-6 million, many lacking formal legal status. While Iran cites security concerns and its conflict with Israel as reasons for the expulsions, including accusations of spying, the deteriorating economic conditions within Iran appear to be a primary driver. Runaway inflation and job scarcity have fueled anti-Afghan sentiment, leading to violence and abuse against Afghan nationals.
The situation is further complicated by the return of these individuals to Afghanistan, a country struggling with its own set of challenges. The Taliban-led government lacks the capacity to reintegrate the influx of returnees. The country faces widespread poverty, with a staggering 97% poverty rate and 69% unemployment. The formal economy has collapsed, and over one-third of Afghans face acute food insecurity. Women are particularly affected, with 90% excluded from the workforce.
Adding to the instability, terrorism continues to threaten Afghanistan, with the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) posing a significant challenge. The Taliban's strained relationships with Iran and Pakistan further complicate reintegration efforts. As both countries continue deportations, Afghanistan's fragile stability is at risk.
BNN's Perspective: The situation in Afghanistan is a complex humanitarian tragedy. While Iran's actions are understandable given its own economic and security concerns, the scale of the deportations and the lack of support for returnees are deeply concerning. International cooperation and humanitarian aid are crucial to mitigate the suffering of the Afghan people and prevent further destabilization of the region.
Keywords: Afghanistan, Iran, deportation, refugees, humanitarian crisis, Taliban, poverty, unemployment, displacement, economic conditions, security, ISKP, reintegration, food insecurity, women's rights.