Since March 21, marking the beginning of the current Iranian year, Iran has expelled more than 200,000 undocumented Afghan refugees as part of a broader policy aimed at regulating the status of migrants within its borders. Nader Yar-Ahmadi, head of Iran’s National Organization for Migration, stated that out of approximately 4.8 million Afghan refugees residing in Iran, about 2.8 million lack legal documentation and are subject to deportation, as unauthorized entry is considered a punishable offense under Iranian law.

Iran hosts one of the largest refugee populations globally, with the majority being Afghans who have fled conflict, insecurity, poverty, and other crises in their home country. According to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) data, Iran is home to around 773,000 refugees holding Amayesh cards and over 2.7 million others classified as being in a refugee-like situation. These figures make Iran the world’s second-largest host country for refugees, with estimates of the actual Afghan population, including undocumented individuals, reaching as high as seven million, although unofficial.

International organizations, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UNHCR, have recognized Iran’s role in providing various social services to refugees. Afghan children, for example, attend Iranian schools alongside local students without additional fees, a provision that contrasts with the restrictions faced by refugees in many other countries. Dhananjaya Bhattarai, head of the UNHCR office in Mashhad, acknowledged Iran’s treatment of refugees with dignity and its efforts to facilitate their integration.

Refugees in Iran generally live and work within local communities, often in villages and urban areas across the country. In cooperation with NGOs and international partners, Iranian authorities have implemented programs to enhance refugees’ access to vocational training, employment opportunities, and other livelihood support, aiming to foster a more active role for migrants in society.

Nonetheless, Iran faces significant challenges in managing this population amid limited international funding, which has covered less than one-third of the urgent humanitarian needs of refugees. The government’s recent enforcement measures, including deportations of undocumented migrants, are part of an attempt to regulate migration in the face of these pressures.

The UNHCR reported that during the first nine months of 2025, more than 1.7 million Afghan refugees have returned from Iran to Afghanistan, signaling a significant level of repatriation. At key border regions, including South Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi, and Sistan-Baluchestan provinces, Iranian health authorities have established permanent and temporary camps to provide medical screenings, treatment of communicable diseases, vaccinations, and access to safe water and sanitation for returning refugees. These efforts aim to ensure basic health and safety standards during the repatriation process.