TEHRAN- A local official has reported that a total of 56,356 foreign nationals have been repatriated to their home countries via the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan.

According to the provincial authority, the Islamic Republic of Iran facilitated the return of these individuals between March 20 and July 21.

This number reflects a 23% increase compared to the same timeframe in the previous year, as stated by Gholamreza Bagh-Shirin. Additionally, he noted a 17% rise in the arrests of foreign nationals, totaling 29,902 since the Iranian calendar year commenced on March 20.

Iranian authorities have consistently emphasized that foreign nationals must enter the country through official and legal channels, warning that those who do not will face strict consequences.

In late July 2023, the commander of the border guard police in Razavi Khorasan province reported the deportation of 7,563 illegal Afghan nationals from the Taybad border point.

For decades, Iran has been a destination for Afghan refugees, beginning with the conflict against Soviet forces in Afghanistan during the 1980s. However, in recent years, Iranian attitudes towards Afghan migrants have shifted negatively, particularly as many have sought refuge following the Taliban's resurgence in 2021, coinciding with Iran's economic challenges.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that approximately 3 million Afghan immigrants reside in Iran, though this figure may be understated due to a significant influx of undocumented arrivals.

Afghan migrants encounter numerous obstacles due to both governmental policies and prevailing societal perceptions. They frequently experience limited access to essential services such as healthcare and education. Immigration regulations have varied, alternating between the issuance of temporary work permits and large-scale deportations.

The Afghan government has raised concerns regarding the treatment of its citizens in Iran but has struggled to secure improved conditions. Concurrently, the Taliban's Ministry of Immigrants has indicated that between one thousand and over two thousand individuals are returning to Afghanistan from Iran each day.