As geopolitical conflicts escalate, Iran has ramped up the deportation of undocumented Afghan nationals, claiming security threats posed by alleged espionage ties to Israel. Eyewitness accounts reveal harsh treatment of deportees, heightening fears among the Afghan community within Iran.
Iran's Mass Deportation of Afghans Amid Espionage Accusations
Iran's Mass Deportation of Afghans Amid Espionage Accusations
Over 1.5 million Afghans have reportedly been expelled from Iran as recent political tensions arise, leading to violent accusations of espionage.
In a severe crackdown following a brief war between Iran and Israel, the Iranian government has expelled over 1.5 million Afghans, many of whom face violent accusations of espionage. Ali Ahmad, a deportee, recounted his harrowing detention, where Iranian officials subjected him to physical abuse, branding him a spy. "They treated us like animals," he said, revealing the bruises left on his body.
For months, Iran, which is believed to host more than four million undocumented Afghans fleeing conflict, has been forcibly repatriating thousands. The situation escalated significantly after a June military confrontation with Israel, during which Iranian authorities intensified their focus on national security, leading to swift deportations under the guise of protecting state interests.
Daily deportations reportedly peaked at around 50,000 individuals in early July, with many returning home following treacherous journeys. Ahmad, who had lived in Iran for two and a half years, claimed that officials took his money and phone, leaving him destitute. Others, like Abdullah Rezaee, shared similar stories of brutal abuse during their detention, with accusations of espionage hovering over all Afghans.
The Iranian media has fueled anti-Afghan sentiment through claims of infiltration by foreign intelligence. Reports suggested that Afghans were working alongside Israeli Mossad agents, which experts argue can be viewed as Iran's effort to deflect blame and project their national security failures. Barnett Rubin, an Afghanistan expert, noted, "Tehran may be looking for scapegoats" for its embarrassments stemming from the conflict.
Despite the Iranian government professing a commitment to the humane treatment of returnees, critics argue that the deportations are motivated by a wish to legitimize governmental actions amid rising domestic criticism. Over social media, anti-Afghan sentiments have surged, exacerbated by government narratives aimed at portraying Afghans as economic liabilities and threats.
In the wake of these deportations, the passive acceptance of anti-Afghan rhetoric has transformed into widespread acceptance of the policy among the Iranian populace. "It has become very dangerous," said Dr. Khadija Abbasi, citing a growing atmosphere of fear among Afghan migrants. More than 900,000 have reportedly returned to Afghanistan from Iran since late June, raising concerns for the stability in a nation already beset with humanitarian crises, particularly under the Taliban regime.
As the border regions swell with returning migrants, many like Abdullah, faced with the loss of homes and livelihoods, now find themselves trapped in a precarious limbo. The ramifications of forced repatriations continue to unfold, posing challenges both for Iran and Afghanistan's recovering systems.
