What's happened
Over 1.5 million Afghans have been expelled or returned from Iran and Pakistan in 2025, driven by government crackdowns, regional conflicts, and economic hardship. The UN warns this mass movement risks destabilising Afghanistan’s fragile humanitarian situation, with many arrivals in dire conditions and limited support. The situation worsened after Iran’s recent escalation amid regional tensions.
What's behind the headline?
The recent surge in Afghan returns highlights the complex interplay of regional security, migration policies, and humanitarian needs. Iran’s intensified deportations, driven by regional conflict and security concerns, are exacerbating Afghanistan’s already dire crisis. The mass expulsions, often abrupt and involuntary, violate international norms and threaten to destabilise Afghanistan further. The regional policies reflect a broader trend of tightening border controls amid geopolitical tensions, notably Iran’s conflict with Israel and the regional fallout. The aid community warns that without urgent international support, Afghanistan’s already fragile systems will collapse under the weight of the influx. The situation underscores the need for coordinated regional responses and sustained humanitarian aid to prevent further destabilisation and human suffering. The current policies risk creating a cycle of displacement, with many Afghans caught in a limbo of insecurity and poverty, and the potential for regional destabilisation will likely intensify if these trends continue. The international community must address the root causes—conflict, economic hardship, and border policies—to mitigate the crisis’s long-term impact.
What the papers say
The articles from Al Jazeera, The New Arab, AP News, Bloomberg, and others collectively depict a worsening migration crisis driven by regional conflicts, government crackdowns, and economic hardship. While some sources emphasize the security concerns and regional tensions, others highlight the humanitarian toll and the risk of destabilisation. For example, Al Jazeera reports Iran’s unprecedented deportation efforts and the regional security narrative, citing claims of security risks linked to Israel and regional tensions. Conversely, The New Arab and AP focus on the humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the dire conditions faced by returnees and the strain on Afghanistan’s infrastructure. The contrasting perspectives reveal a complex picture: security concerns are used to justify harsh policies, but the humanitarian consequences are severe and urgent. The coverage underscores that without international intervention, the crisis will deepen, with millions in peril and regional stability at risk.
How we got here
Since 2023, Iran and Pakistan launched campaigns to expel foreigners they claim are living illegally, including millions of Afghans. Iran’s recent conflict with Israel and regional tensions have accelerated deportations, with Iran alone deporting over 366,000 Afghans in 2025. Afghanistan faces a humanitarian crisis worsened by aid cuts, poverty, and instability, with millions depending on aid and many returnees arriving in poor health and with limited resources. The UN warns that these mass returns threaten regional stability and strain Afghanistan’s fragile infrastructure.
Go deeper
Common question
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What Challenges Are Afghan Refugees Facing in Iran?
The plight of Afghan refugees in Iran has become increasingly dire amid escalating geopolitical tensions and systemic discrimination. As thousands flee back to Afghanistan, many are left wondering about the challenges they face and the support available to them. This page explores the current situation of Afghan refugees in Iran and what can be done to improve their circumstances.
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What Challenges Do Returning Afghan Refugees Face in 2025?
As over 1.2 million Afghans return home from Iran and Pakistan, many are met with significant challenges. The situation raises questions about the impact on Afghanistan's stability, the economy, and the humanitarian needs of returnees. Here are some common questions regarding this pressing issue.
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What are the humanitarian implications of mass deportations of Afghans?
The mass deportations of over 1.2 million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan have raised urgent humanitarian concerns. As these individuals return to a country already facing a severe crisis, questions arise about their safety, the Taliban's response, and the conditions they encounter. This page explores the implications of these deportations and what can be done to support those affected.
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How Do Pakistan's Military Actions Impact Regional Stability?
Recent military actions by Pakistan against militants have raised significant concerns about regional stability, particularly in relation to India and Afghanistan. As tensions escalate, many are left wondering about the broader implications of these events. Below, we explore key questions surrounding the situation and its potential effects on the region.
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What is the current humanitarian crisis for Afghans returning from Iran and Pakistan?
As of July 2025, over 1.2 million Afghans have been forcibly returned from Iran and Pakistan due to government crackdowns on undocumented foreigners. This mass deportation raises urgent questions about the conditions these returnees face, the Taliban's response, and the broader humanitarian needs in Afghanistan. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this crisis.
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What are the global implications of the mass deportations of Afghans?
The mass deportations of Afghans from Iran and Pakistan have raised significant concerns about humanitarian crises and regional stability. With over 1.2 million Afghans forcibly returned, questions arise about the impact on Afghanistan's already fragile situation and the international community's response. Below, we explore key questions surrounding this pressing issue.
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Why are so many Afghans returning from Iran now?
The recent surge of Afghan returnees from Iran has raised numerous questions about the reasons behind this mass movement and its implications for Afghanistan. With nearly 450,000 Afghans returning since June 2025, understanding the factors driving this crisis is crucial. This page explores the motivations for their return, the humanitarian challenges they face, and the support available to them.
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Why Are So Many Afghans Returning from Iran and Pakistan?
In recent months, a significant number of Afghans have been returning from Iran and Pakistan. This surge is driven by regional tensions, government crackdowns, and economic hardships. Many returnees face difficult conditions upon arrival, raising questions about the causes and consequences of this mass movement. Below, we explore the key reasons behind these repatriations and what they mean for Afghanistan’s future.
More on these topics
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Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central and South Asia.
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Iran, also called Persia, and officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered to the northwest by Armenia and Azerbaijan, to the north by the Caspian Sea, to the northeast by Turkmenistan, to the east by Afghanistan a
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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The Taliban or Taleban, who refer to themselves as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, are a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist political movement and military organization in Afghanistan currently waging war within that country.
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The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is a United Nations agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration
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Pakistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country in South Asia. It is the world's fifth-most populous country with a population exceeding 212.2 million. It is the 33rd-largest country by area, spanning 881,913 square kilometres.
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Afghan refugees are citizens of Afghanistan who were forced to flee from their country as a result the continuous wars that the country has suffered since the Afghan-Soviet war, the Afghan civil war, the Afghanistan war (2001–2021) or either political..