In a staggering surge, Iran has deported more than 88,000 undocumented Afghan migrants between June 18 and June 26, 2025, according to a report released by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The mass deportations have intensified the already dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, raising calls for urgent international aid and intervention, reported the Hindustan Times.
The IOM report, published on June 28, revealed that only 11% of the returnees received humanitarian assistance due to severe funding shortages. The organization emphasized the urgent need for global support to meet the basic needs of vulnerable groups, especially women and children.
Of the 88,308 deportees, 55% were forcibly returned, and 64% were traveling as families, highlighting the disproportionate impact on children and female-headed households. This week’s deportation figures mark a sharp increase compared to the previous week, when 32,844 individuals were sent back.
Earlier data from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that over 71,000 migrants had been returned from Iran and Pakistan between June 1 and June 15. These statistics underscore the relentless pace of expulsions and the growing pressure on Afghanistan’s fragile border regions.
According to reports by Khaama Press, the Iranian government has ramped up crackdowns on Afghan nationals. Authorities have reportedly invalidated lease agreements, banned landlords from housing Afghan refugees, and escalated police detentions across various provinces. These actions have been intensified following the recent 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has also resumed stringent enforcement against Afghan migrants, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Families are reportedly being detained and deported with little to no legal process, prompting serious concerns from human rights organizations.
Both IOM and WHO have appealed to the international community to respond swiftly. The agencies warn that with limited border resources and an influx of returnees, Afghanistan faces rising risks of homelessness, poverty, and health crises in already overcrowded camps and holding areas.
The ongoing expulsions from neighboring countries continue to exacerbate Afghanistan’s humanitarian emergency, pushing thousands of families into further uncertainty and distress.
