Key Takeaways
• Iran targets up to four million undocumented Afghans for deportation by July 6, 2025 deadline.
• Nearly 450,000 Afghans deported or returned from Iran since June 1, 2025, with expulsions continuing.
• International agencies criticize Iran for violating non-refoulement and causing severe humanitarian crisis.
Iran’s Mass Deportation of Afghans: July 2025 Crisis Unfolds
Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How

In July 2025, Iran 🇮🇷 began one of the largest forced deportations in recent history, targeting up to four million Afghans living in the country without legal status. The Iranian government set a strict deadline of July 6, 2025, for all undocumented Afghans to leave or face immediate expulsion. This sweeping action, which has already seen nearly 450,000 Afghans return or be deported in just over a month, is part of a broader crackdown that has affected families, workers, and entire communities. The move follows years of rising tensions, but recent events—including a brief conflict between Iran and Israel 🇮🇱—have accelerated the pace and severity of deportations.
Scale and Speed of Deportations
The numbers are staggering. Since June 1, 2025, almost half a million Afghans have crossed back into Afghanistan, with some days seeing as many as 40,000 people forced to leave. The total number of Afghans who have returned or been deported from Iran in 2025 now exceeds 900,000, and since March 2024, more than 1.2 million have been expelled. The Islam Qala border crossing in western Herat province is the main entry point, with up to 10,000 people crossing daily at peak times.
Iranian authorities have made it clear that the process will continue, with further expulsions expected in the coming weeks and months. Officials say the country’s “capacities have limits,” but the scale and speed of the deportations have shocked many, including international agencies and human rights groups.
Enforcement Measures and Living Conditions
Iran’s approach has been harsh and uncompromising. Authorities have:
- Nullified all rental agreements with undocumented Afghans, threatening landlords with property confiscation if they do not comply.
- Carried out mass arrests and home raids, often detaining entire families.
- Denied access to health services and basic goods for those without legal status.
- Penalized employers who hire undocumented Afghan workers.
Afghans without legal residency were ordered to leave voluntarily by the July 6 deadline. Those caught without documentation have faced immediate detention and expulsion, often with no chance to appeal or seek legal help. Many report being forced out with little warning, losing homes, savings, and jobs overnight.
Security Justifications and Political Context
The Iranian government has justified the crackdown by citing security concerns. After the June 2025 conflict with Israel, Iranian security forces arrested several Afghans, accusing them of collaborating with Israeli intelligence. No evidence has been provided, but these claims have fueled anti-Afghan sentiment and given authorities a reason to intensify deportations.
Deputy Interior Minister Ali Akbar Pourjamshidian stated that while Afghans are “respected neighbors and brothers in faith,” Iran’s resources are stretched thin. He insisted the return process would be “implemented gradually,” but the strict enforcement of the July 6 deadline tells a different story.
International Response and Human Rights Concerns
The mass deportation of Afghans from Iran has drawn strong criticism from the United Nations (UN), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and organizations like FORUM-ASIA. These groups argue that Iran is violating international law, especially the principle of non-refoulement—which means countries should not force people to return to places where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
Key concerns raised by international agencies include:
- Lack of due process: Many Afghans are deported without any chance to explain their situation or appeal the decision.
- No individual risk assessments: Each person’s case is not reviewed to see if they face danger in Afghanistan.
- Separation of families: Families are often split up during deportation, with women and children especially vulnerable.
The UN and other agencies warn that Afghanistan is “dramatically unprepared” to receive such large numbers of returnees. They urge Iran to halt forced returns and provide protection for those at risk.
Humanitarian Impact on Returnees
For the Afghans being deported, the journey is often traumatic and dangerous. Many have lived in Iran for years, or even their entire lives, and have no home or support network in Afghanistan. Upon arrival, they face:
- Inadequate shelter: Many returnees end up in temporary camps or with relatives who are already struggling.
- Food shortages: Afghanistan is experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions already facing hunger.
- Lack of integration support: There are few programs to help returnees find work, education, or healthcare.
- Severe restrictions for women and girls: Under Taliban rule, women and girls face strict limits on their freedom, education, and employment.
Families are often separated during the deportation process, with children and parents sometimes sent to different locations. Many returnees are “outsiders” in Afghanistan, having spent most or all of their lives in Iran or Pakistan.
Stories from the Border
At the Islam Qala border crossing, the scene is chaotic. People arrive with whatever belongings they can carry, often after long and difficult journeys. Some describe being “thrown out like garbage,” with little warning or time to prepare. Aid agencies like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) provide emergency assistance, but resources are stretched thin.
One Afghan woman, who had lived in Iran for over 20 years, said she was forced to leave her home with her three children after police raided their apartment. “We lost everything overnight,” she said. “We have nowhere to go in Afghanistan. My children have never even been there.”
Regional Context: Pakistan’s Deportations
Iran’s actions are part of a wider regional trend. Since October 2023, Pakistan 🇵🇰 has also expelled over 800,000 Afghans, adding to the crisis. Both countries have hosted millions of Afghans for decades, but rising domestic pressures and security concerns have led to tougher policies.
The surge in deportations from both Iran and Pakistan has created a humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan, which is already struggling with conflict, poverty, and a lack of international aid.
Legal and Policy Background
Iran has hosted millions of Afghans since the 1980s, when many fled war and instability. Over the years, some Afghans have gained legal residency, but many remain undocumented. The situation worsened after the Taliban returned to power in 2021, leading to a new wave of refugees.
Iranian law requires all foreigners to have valid residency documents. Those without are considered illegal and subject to deportation. In recent months, the government has stepped up enforcement, targeting undocumented Afghans through police checks, home raids, and workplace inspections.
Procedures for Deportation
The process for deporting Afghans from Iran is swift and often harsh:
- Order to Leave: Afghans without legal status were told to leave voluntarily by July 6, 2025.
- Detention: Those found without documents are detained, sometimes in large groups.
- Expulsion: Detainees are transported to the border, often with little time to collect belongings or contact family.
- No Legal Recourse: There is usually no chance to appeal or seek legal help.
All rental contracts with undocumented Afghans have been voided, and landlords face property confiscation if they do not comply. Employers who hire undocumented workers also face penalties.
Humanitarian Agencies and Support
Several organizations are working to help returnees, but the scale of the crisis is overwhelming. The UNHCR Afghanistan office provides information and limited support for those returning. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) offers emergency assistance at border crossings and reception centers. FORUM-ASIA and other groups provide advocacy and legal support for refugees and migrants in the region.
For more information on support for returnees, visit the UNHCR Afghanistan website.
Taliban Response and Afghanistan’s Capacity
The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have called for a “dignified” return for Afghans but admit they lack the resources to support the huge influx. There is no clear plan for reintegration, and basic services like housing, healthcare, and education are already under strain.
Aid agencies warn that the arrival of so many returnees could destabilize the country further, leading to more poverty, hunger, and possibly renewed conflict.
International Law and Non-Refoulement
International law, including the 1951 Refugee Convention, prohibits countries from sending people back to places where they face serious threats. This principle, known as non-refoulement, is a cornerstone of refugee protection. Human rights groups argue that Iran’s mass deportations violate this principle, especially given the risks faced by returnees in Afghanistan.
FORUM-ASIA and other organizations have called the deportations a grave violation of international standards, highlighting the lack of individual risk assessments and legal protections.
Implications for Stakeholders
- Afghans in Iran: Face loss of homes, jobs, and community. Many fear for their safety and future in Afghanistan.
- Iranian Society: The crackdown may ease some domestic pressures but risks damaging Iran’s international reputation.
- Afghanistan: Struggles to absorb returnees, with limited resources and ongoing humanitarian crises.
- International Community: Faces pressure to provide more aid and support, and to address the root causes of displacement.
Potential for Further Destabilization
Experts warn that the mass influx of returnees could lead to further instability in Afghanistan. With few opportunities at home, some may try to move onward to Europe or other regions, risking dangerous journeys and exploitation.
The situation remains fluid, with further deportations expected and international pressure mounting for Iran to halt forced returns.
What Can Affected Individuals Do?
- Seek Information: Stay informed about legal rights and available support through organizations like UNHCR and IOM.
- Contact Aid Agencies: For emergency assistance at border crossings and reception centers.
- Document Status: If possible, gather and keep any documents that prove residency, employment, or family ties in Iran.
Key Takeaways
- As of July 7, 2025, Iran’s mass deportation of Afghans is ongoing, with nearly half a million expelled in the past month and up to four million at risk.
- The policy is enforced through strict measures, with little to no legal protection for those affected.
- The humanitarian impact is severe, with Afghanistan unable to absorb the influx and international agencies warning of a deepening crisis.
- The situation is likely to worsen unless Iran halts forced returns and the international community steps up support.
Further Resources and Official Information
For those seeking more information or support, the following resources are available:
- UNHCR Afghanistan: Information and assistance for returnees.
- International Organization for Migration (IOM): Emergency support at border crossings.
- FORUM-ASIA: Advocacy and legal support for refugees and migrants.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing deportation crisis highlights the urgent need for coordinated international action to protect vulnerable Afghans and address the root causes of displacement. The coming weeks will be critical for millions of people whose lives have been upended by these policies.
Practical Steps for Readers
- If you or someone you know is affected, reach out to humanitarian agencies for help.
- Stay updated on policy changes and deadlines through official channels.
- Advocate for fair treatment and protection of refugees by contacting local and international organizations.
The world is watching as Iran’s mass deportation of Afghans unfolds. The choices made now will shape the lives of millions and the future of the region.
Learn Today
Non-refoulement → An international principle forbidding the forced return of refugees to places where they face danger.
Undocumented → Refers to individuals without legal residency or valid immigration papers in a country.
Deportation → The legal process of expelling a foreign national from a country forcibly.
Refugee Convention → A 1951 international treaty protecting refugees and defining their rights and host country obligations.
Forced Return → The coerced sending back of migrants or refugees without voluntary consent or legal protections.
This Article in a Nutshell
Iran started expelling millions of undocumented Afghans in July 2025, triggering mass deportations and humanitarian concerns. With strict enforcement, nearly half a million have been forced out, risking dire conditions in Afghanistan amid growing global criticism and urgent calls for aid and protection rights.
— By VisaVerge.com