Trapped in Iran: Afghan refugees face new crisis – DW – 06/19/2025
The impact of the conflict between Iran and Israel is being felt by Afghans both inside their homeland and across the border in Iran. The fighting is exacerbating the already dire conditions in Afghanistan, where prices for Iranian-imported goods have surged, putting its frail economy under further strain. Meanwhile, millions of Afghan refugees in Iran — who once fled in search of safety and a better life — are now facing renewed uncertainty and pressure from officials as the armed conflict escalates.
"We have no place to live," Afghan refugee Rahela Rasa told DW.
"Our freedom of movement has been stripped from us. We're harassed, insulted, and abused," she added.
Afghans' lives go from bad to worse
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) estimates that nearly 4.5 million Afghan nationals currently reside in Iran. Other sources suggest the actual number could be much higher. Iran had taken steps to deport thousands of Afghans in recent years. However, many new refugees continue to arrive seeking employment or refuge from the Taliban regime.
In the years following the US withdrawal in 2021, the Taliban have dismantled the media and civil society, targeted former Afghan security personnel and imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, banning them from work and education.
At the same time, conditions have also deteriorated for Afghans living in Iran. The refugees are only allowed to buy food at highly inflated prices and are banned from leaving Tehran.
Tehran gridlocked as thousands try to flee Israeli strikes
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A refugee told DW she couldn't buy formula for her baby.
"Everywhere I go, they refuse to sell it to me because I don't have proper documents," she said, requesting anonymity.
'My heart is broken'
With Afghans in Iran seeing bombs flying overhead, their new country no longer offers even a semblance of safety. And some of them have already lost their lives in the fighting.
DW spoke to Abdul Ghani from Afghanistan's Ghor province, whose 18-year-old son Abdul Wali recently completed school and moved to Iran to support his family.
"On Monday, I spoke to my son and asked him to send us some money," said Ghani. "Last night, his employer called to inform me he had been killed in an attack."
"My heart is broken. My son is gone."
No way home for many Afghans
Returning to Afghanistan is not a viable option for most Afghan refugees, who fear persecution under the Taliban regime. A former member of Afghanistan's security forces, speaking anonymously, said he lives in constant fear.
"We cannot return to Afghanistan. The Taliban would prosecute us," he said.
Mohammad Omar Dawoodzai, former Afghan interior minister and ambassador to Iran under the previous government, says the international community must act to protect former Afghan officials and civil servants who may be forced to return to Afghanistan if the Israel-Iran conflict drags on.
Fear deepens in Tehran as Israel targets Iran's capital
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"I am particularly concerned about former military and government employees who fled to Iran after the Taliban takeover," said Dawoodzai. "The international community must hold the Taliban accountable and ensure returnees are not subjected to persecution."
Migrants rights advocate urges refugees to stay put
Amid the growing chaos, human smuggling networks appear to be exploiting the desperation of Afghan refugees. Rumors have circulated suggesting that Turkey has opened its borders for passage.
But Ali Reza Karimi, a migrant rights advocate, dismissed the claims of open borders as false information spread by smugglers. He explained that due to suspended flights, the Turkish border is only open to Iranian citizens and travelers with valid passports and visas and remains closed to Afghan migrants. Karimi urged Afghan refugees not to fall for the smugglers' lies or walk into their traps.
"I've been informed that smugglers are telling refugees to head toward Turkey, claiming the borders are open. This creates yet another tragedy. They go there only to find the borders closed," Mohammad Omar Dawoodzai told DW.
He urged Afghan refugees in Iran to stay where they are for now, if possible.
"As much as they can, our people should remain where they are and wait patiently. And if, for any reason, they are forced to move, they should head toward the Afghan border — not Turkey," he stated.
Edited by: Darko Janjevic
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