Key Takeaways
• Over 230,000 Afghans returned from Iran in June 2025 before the July 6 deportation deadline.
• About 70% of the 691,049 Afghan returns since January 2025 were forced deportations.
• Returnees face poverty, limited aid, and overwhelmed Afghan infrastructure with urgent humanitarian needs.
Over 230,000 Afghans Return from Iran Ahead of Deportation Deadline: A Deep Dive into the Crisis
In June 2025, a dramatic and urgent situation unfolded along the border between Iran 🇮🇷 and Afghanistan. Over 230,000 Afghans crossed back into their homeland, most of them forced out by Iranian authorities. This surge in returns is directly tied to Iran’s July 6, 2025, deportation deadline for undocumented Afghans. The crisis is not only about numbers—it’s about families, children, and a country already struggling to support its people. Here’s a detailed look at what’s happening, why it matters, and what lies ahead for Afghans caught in this wave of deportations.
Who Is Affected and What’s Happening?
The main group affected are Afghans who have been living in Iran, many for years or even decades. In June 2025 alone, 233,941 Afghans returned from Iran to Afghanistan, with more than 131,000 returning in just the last week of June. The reason for this sudden movement is clear: Iran’s government set a July 6 deadline for all undocumented Afghans to leave the country. As the date approaches, the number of people crossing the border has reached as high as 30,000 per day.
Since January 2025, the total number of Afghans returning from Iran has reached over 690,000, and about 70% of these returns are forced deportations, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that, when including Pakistan, more than 1.2 million Afghans have returned or been forced to return in 2025. This is the largest movement of people since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.
Why Is Iran Deporting Afghans Now?
Iran has hosted millions of Afghans for decades, especially during times of war and crisis in Afghanistan. However, the situation has changed. Iran’s economy is under pressure, and the government says it can no longer support so many undocumented migrants. In late May 2025, Iranian officials announced that all undocumented Afghans must leave by July 6. They argue that this policy is necessary to protect Iran’s economy and national security.
To enforce this, Iranian authorities have increased deportations and made life harder for undocumented Afghans. Many people are being forced to leave with little warning, and families are being separated. The Iranian government insists that these actions are needed, but human rights groups and international agencies have raised serious concerns about the impact on vulnerable people.
How Are Afghans Returning?
The process for Afghans returning from Iran usually follows these steps:
- Deportation or Voluntary Return:
Some Afghans are forcibly deported by Iranian police, while others leave on their own to avoid arrest or detention. - Border Crossing:
Most returnees enter Afghanistan through the Islam Qala border point in Herat Province. This is the main crossing used for both voluntary and forced returns. -
Reception and Processing:
At the border, returnees are processed at IOM-run centers. Here, they may receive basic help like food, water, and temporary shelter. However, on days when thousands arrive, only about 3% of undocumented returnees get assistance due to limited resources. -
Onward Movement:
After processing, many returnees travel to other provinces or try to reunite with family. Most have little or no support, and many arrive with only the clothes they are wearing.
Who Are the Returnees?
Unlike earlier waves of migration, which were mostly single men, this time entire families are being sent back. Men, women, and children are arriving together, often with very few belongings. Many have lived in Iran for years and have no home or job waiting for them in Afghanistan. The sudden return is especially hard for children, who may not speak local languages or know anyone in Afghanistan.
What Are the Main Challenges for Returnees?
The challenges facing returnees are severe:
- Poverty and Unemployment:
Afghanistan is already one of the poorest countries in the world. Jobs are scarce, and the economy is weak. Most returnees have no way to earn a living. -
Lack of Services:
Social services like health care, education, and housing are very limited. The Taliban government, in power since 2021, has struggled to provide even basic support. -
Overwhelmed Infrastructure:
The sudden arrival of hundreds of thousands of people is putting huge pressure on local communities and aid agencies. Many returnees end up living in temporary shelters or with relatives who are already struggling. -
Cuts in International Aid:
Many international donors have reduced funding for Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover. This means that UN agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have less money to help returnees.
How Are Different Groups Responding?
Iranian Government:
Iran defends its policy by saying it must protect its economy and control illegal immigration. Officials argue that the country cannot support so many undocumented migrants, especially during tough economic times.
Taliban Authorities:
The Taliban administration has called for a “dignified” return of Afghans and asked Iran to work together on a gradual process. However, Afghanistan’s ability to absorb so many people is very limited. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has asked for international help and a more coordinated approach.
UN Agencies and NGOs:
Groups like the IOM and UNHCR have warned about the serious humanitarian consequences of mass deportations. They are calling for more international support and a better system to help returnees. Human rights organizations are also worried about the treatment of migrants and the risks they face after returning.
Returnees Themselves:
Many Afghans who have returned say they feel lost and afraid. They worry about finding work, feeding their families, and keeping their children safe. Some have been separated from relatives or forced to leave behind everything they own.
What Does the Data Show?
The numbers highlight the scale of the crisis:
- June 1–28, 2025: 233,941 Afghans returned from Iran (most forcibly deported)
- June 21–28, 2025: 131,912 returns in just one week
- January 1–June 28, 2025: 691,049 total returns from Iran (70% forced)
- 2025 (Iran & Pakistan): Over 1.2 million Afghans returned or deported
These figures, reported by the IOM and UNHCR, show that the crisis is growing fast. As the July 6 deadline approaches, even more people are expected to cross the border.
Why Is This Crisis Different from the Past?
Afghans have been moving between Afghanistan and its neighbors for decades, often fleeing war or poverty. But this current wave is different for several reasons:
- Largest Since 2021:
This is the biggest movement of people since the Taliban took power in 2021. -
Families, Not Just Individuals:
Whole families are being deported, not just single men. -
Less International Help:
Aid agencies have less money and fewer resources to help. -
Stricter Policies in Both Iran and Pakistan:
Both countries are now enforcing tough rules on undocumented Afghans.
What Are the Humanitarian Risks?
The risks for returnees are serious and growing:
- Homelessness:
Many have nowhere to live and end up in temporary shelters or on the streets. -
Hunger:
Food is scarce, and many families struggle to feed their children. -
Health Problems:
Lack of clean water, crowded living conditions, and poor health care increase the risk of disease. -
Child Protection:
Children are especially at risk, with many missing out on school and facing dangers like child labor or trafficking. -
Social Tension:
The sudden arrival of so many people can cause tension in local communities, especially when resources are already stretched.
What Is the International Community Saying?
UN agencies and human rights groups are urging countries to do more. They want Iran to slow down deportations and allow for a more gradual, organized process. They are also asking for more funding and support for Afghanistan, so that returnees can get the help they need.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the international community is deeply concerned about the humanitarian impact of these mass returns. Many experts warn that without urgent action, the crisis could get even worse in the coming weeks.
What Happens Next?
With the July 6, 2025 deadline just days away, the number of Afghans returning from Iran is expected to rise even higher. There is no sign that Iran will extend or change the deadline. The Taliban continues to ask for international support and a more gradual return process, but so far, there has been little progress.
The future for returnees is uncertain. Many will face poverty, hunger, and a lack of basic services. The risk of a deeper humanitarian crisis is very real, especially if international aid does not increase.
What Can Returnees Do?
For Afghans returning from Iran, the options are limited but important:
- Seek Help at Reception Centers:
Returnees should go to IOM-run centers at border points like Islam Qala, where they may receive food, water, and temporary shelter. However, help is limited and not everyone will get support. -
Contact Local Authorities:
The Afghan Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation can provide information and some assistance. Returnees should register with local offices if possible. -
Reach Out to International Agencies:
Groups like the IOM and UNHCR have information and resources for returnees. Their websites (IOM and UNHCR Afghanistan) offer updates and contact details. -
Stay Informed:
The situation is changing quickly. Returnees and their families should stay updated on official announcements and local news.
What Should the International Community Do?
Experts and aid groups say that urgent action is needed:
- Increase Funding:
More money is needed for food, shelter, and health care for returnees. -
Support Local Communities:
Help should go not only to returnees but also to the Afghan communities receiving them. -
Work with Both Iran and Afghanistan:
A coordinated approach is needed to manage returns in a way that protects people’s rights and dignity. -
Monitor Human Rights:
International groups should keep a close watch on how returnees are treated, both during deportation and after arrival.
For more information on migration and refugee policies, readers can visit the International Organization for Migration’s official website, which provides up-to-date resources and support contacts.
Conclusion: A Crisis Demanding Urgent Attention
The return of over 230,000 Afghans from Iran in June 2025 is more than just a statistic—it’s a human crisis affecting families, children, and entire communities. With the deportation deadline looming, Afghanistan faces a wave of people in need, but with few resources to help them. The international community, local authorities, and aid agencies must act quickly to prevent even greater suffering.
The coming weeks will be critical. As more Afghans cross the border, the need for food, shelter, and support will only grow. Without urgent action, the crisis could deepen, putting even more lives at risk. The world is watching, and the choices made now will shape the future for hundreds of thousands of Afghans seeking safety and hope in a time of great uncertainty.
Learn Today
Deportation Deadline → The legally set date by which undocumented migrants must leave a country.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) → UN agency managing migration, providing aid and facilitating refugee returns worldwide.
Forced Deportations → Government actions that compel migrants to leave a country against their will.
Islam Qala → A major border crossing point between Iran and Afghanistan used by returnees.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) → UN agency protecting and supporting refugees globally, including Afghan returnees.
This Article in a Nutshell
In June 2025, Iran forced over 230,000 Afghans to return before a July 6 deadline. Families face dire conditions amid scarce aid and overwhelmed Afghan services, highlighting a severe humanitarian crisis requiring urgent international action to support displaced populations and ease regional tensions.
— By VisaVerge.com
