The Iranian government has initiated a harsh crackdown on undocumented Afghan migrants, leading to mass deportations under allegations of espionage connected to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Testimonies from deportees reveal severe mistreatment, while experts argue the deportations may serve as a political scapegoat amid national security concerns.
Iranian Deportations: Afghan Refugees Flee Amid Espionage Claims

Iranian Deportations: Afghan Refugees Flee Amid Espionage Claims
Over 1.5 million Afghans have been forcibly returned to Afghanistan from Iran amid rising tensions and accusations of espionage linked to the recent Israel-Iran conflict.
Iran has seen an alarming upsurge in the deportation of Afghan refugees, with over 1.5 million returning to Afghanistan since January, amidst accusations of espionage following the recent 12-day conflict involving Israel. Afghans have reported brutal treatment at the hands of Iranian authorities, including physical abuse and wrongful accusations of spying, leaving many in fear for their safety.
Individuals like Ali Ahmad, who requested anonymity, recount harrowing experiences wherein Iranian officers detained and beat them while making outlandish claims of espionage. "They treated us like animals," he shared as he prepared to cross back to Afghanistan. Iranian authorities have been escalating deportations for months, especially following Israel's military engagement with Iran, leading to national security concerns and claims that some Afghans were somehow involved with Israeli intelligence operations.
The situation has become dire, with daily returns peaking at 50,000 people in early July alone, according to the United Nations. With over four million undocumented Afghans residing in Iran, the government's crackdown has intensified, blurring the line between legitimate security measures and scapegoating Afghan migrants for internal government failures.
Meanwhile, stories from deportees echo a consistent narrative of mistreatment. Abdullah Rezaee, another refugee, described how officers physically harmed him, claiming treachery against the state. "They beat us with plastic batons and said: 'You’re spies,'" he recalled. The Iranian government's tactics seem exacerbated by a surge of anti-Afghan sentiment fueled by local media framing Afghan refugees as burdens.
Accusations of collaboration with Israeli intelligence have proliferated on Iran’s social media, with many interpreting this as a strategic move by the Iranian government to redirect blame for its failures in the ongoing conflict with Israel. Analysts argue that these allegations serve to bolster the legitimacy of the government's hardline stance against undocumented Afghans, who are now facing unfounded stigma and violence.
Despite Iran's prior facilitation of Afghan refugees, negative narratives have emerged, stigmatizing Afghans as economic burdens and criminals. With the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan creating an added strain on resources, the influx of returnees amid the deteriorating humanitarian situation raises concerns about their capability to reintegrate.
The deportation policy has garnered a mix of support and dissent within Iranian society. While there exists an undercurrent of nationalistic sentiment against Afghan refugees, an open letter by over 1,300 activists from both Afghan and Iranian backgrounds has called for an end to the inhumane treatment of Afghans, indicating a societal divide on the issue.
The tragic case of Abdullah encapsulates the despair faced by many: "I lost everything," he said, emphasizing the opportunity shattered by his forced return. As large numbers continue to traverse the border, experts warn of the deepening crisis that the Afghan returnees will face as they navigate life under the Taliban's rule in an already struggling nation.