In the wake of heightened tensions with Israel, Iran has intensified its deportation of Afghan refugees, with many being falsely accused of espionage. The situation reflects both a humanitarian crisis and rising anti-Afghan sentiment within Iran.
Iran's Mass Deportation of Afghan Refugees Amid Espionage Accusations
Iran's Mass Deportation of Afghan Refugees Amid Espionage Accusations
Over 1.5 million Afghans face forced return from Iran amidst allegations of espionage linked to Israel, raising concerns over the treatment and safety of refugees.
Iran has begun a significant crackdown on Afghan refugees, forcing over 1.5 million individuals to leave the country amid claims of espionage linked to Israel. Reports indicate that this increased pressure has been exacerbated since the June conflict between Israel and Iran, with Afghan nationals facing harsh treatment and severe accusations as a scapegoat for Iran's perceived security failures.
Ali Ahmad, a 25-year-old Afghan, recounted his ordeal after being detained by Iranian authorities, who physically assaulted him while accusing him of spying. "They treated us like animals," he told reporters, revealing evidence of the beatings he endured. Iran claims to host over four million undocumented Afghans fleeing conflict, but deportations have surged, especially after the recent war that drew attention to the Afghan community.
The Iranian media has linked Afghans to Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, raising fears among the refugee population of being wrongfully labeled as spies. "We're afraid to go anywhere," one Afghan told the BBC, highlighting the impact of these baseless allegations which have spiraled out of control. Experts believe that the Iranian government’s narrative may be an attempt to deflect blame for its failures on the battlefield while reinforcing nationalistic sentiments against Afghans.
Depression and turmoil have marked the deportees' journeys home, with many reporting confiscation of their belongings and insufficient aid to return. Abdullah Rezaee, another deportee, described the trauma of his detention and the abuse inflicted upon him, lamenting that the few months he spent in Iran often felt unbearable.
Despite calls for humane treatment, criticism of Iran’s crackdown on Afghans grows louder. Compounding the crisis, Afghanistan's current regime is ill-equipped to absorb the increasing number of returnees. The history of Afghan displacement in Iran began decades ago; however, the recent climate of hostility marks a tragic turn in a long-standing refugee dynamic, echoing past cycles of scapegoating that incite fear and division.
As tensions rise, many Afghans are left pondering their future amidst widespread misinformation and hostility, while advocates call for recognition of their rights and dignified treatment upon return.
