In a startling escalation of humanitarian crisis, Iran has intensified its deportation of Afghan refugees, forcing thousands back into a war-torn Afghanistan. This crackdown comes as the Iranian government tightens immigration controls, with over 250,000 Afghans expelled in just June alone. The UN reports that over 700,000 Afghans have returned to Afghanistan this year, amidst a backdrop of growing anti-foreigner sentiment and economic strain within Iran.

The Iranian government justifies its actions by citing national security concerns, claiming that undocumented migrants pose a threat. However, the reality for those being expelled is grim: they are returning to a country grappling with a humanitarian disaster, where aid funding has plummeted from $3.2 billion to just $550 million in three years. The Taliban, while welcoming returnees, lacks the capacity to support the influx, with half of Afghanistan’s population already dependent on aid.

Witnesses at the border describe chaotic scenes as families, many of whom have never set foot in Afghanistan, are uprooted from the only homes they’ve known. Reports indicate that some deportees held valid documentation yet were still forced across the border, raising serious concerns about human rights violations.

The international community is alarmed, as the Taliban’s assurances of safety for returnees ring hollow against the stark realities of poverty and instability in Afghanistan. With the situation deteriorating, urgent action is needed. Humanitarian agencies are calling for coordinated efforts to manage this crisis, yet the window for effective intervention is rapidly closing. As the humanitarian fallout deepens, the plight of Afghan refugees remains a critical issue that demands immediate global attention.