Iran has forcibly deported over 1.5 million Afghan migrants since the beginning of the year, escalating actions against a community already under pressure due to worsening tensions with Israel. Many Afghans, including those who have lived in Iran for years, have been subjected to accusations of espionage without due process.
The situation has reached a critical juncture following a recent escalation in hostilities between Iran and Israel, which culminated in a brief war in June. Iranian authorities have increasingly linked Afghan migrants to allegations of espionage, despite evidence pointing to systemic scapegoating rooted in political and societal scapegoating.
Eyewitness accounts reveal harrowing conditions for those detained. "They treated us like animals," recounts Ali Ahmad, who spoke under anonymity due to rightful fears for his safety. He reports that during his detention, Iranian officers beat him and confiscated his belongings. These experiences echo the sentiments of many within the Afghan communities in Iran who now live in fear of being falsely accused and deported.
Experts suggest that the Iranian government is utilizing these allegations to deflect attention from its own security shortcomings, particularly in the wake of increased Israeli operations. “Tehran may be looking for scapegoats for its shortcomings,” says Barnett Rubin, who cautions against the dangerous trajectory this situation may be taking, urging for a reevaluation of the treatment espoused towards Afghan refugees amid growing anti-Afghan sentiment in Iranian media.
Amid the unrest, social media channels have propagated alarming misinformation perpetuating the discourse of Afghans as spies, further isolating them within an already stigmatized community. This has been compounded by government rhetoric, which has sought to frame the expulsion of Afghans as a national security imperative.
During this time, the Taliban has reported a remarkable influx of returnees, with over 918,000 Afghans reportedly crossing back into Afghanistan between late June and July. Experts express concern that Afghanistan's already crumbling infrastructure and humanitarian crises will struggle to accommodate these returning migrants, especially as tensions continue to rattle the region.
Despite historical data portraying Iran as a largely welcoming nation for Afghan migrants, recent shifts in public and governmental sentiment reveal a growing tide of xenophobia. Dr. Khadija Abbasi of the School of Oriental and African Studies notes a stark change in narrative, describing how once-welcoming environments for Afghans are now marked by hostility and fear.
As anti-Afghan sentiment continues to fester, many Afghans are faced with impossible choices and uncertain futures, trapped between their hopes for safety and the risks associated with growing animosity towards them in Iran. The plight of these refugees raises critical conversations about humanitarian obligations and the intersection of national security and human rights.
