Tehran: In a move stirring global concern, Iran has deported hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees, claiming that some among them were involved in assisting Israeli airstrikes. According to reports from Iranian state media, several Afghan nationals have been detained on charges of espionage, with allegations that they possessed materials related to bomb and drone construction.
The claims arise in the wake of Israel's 12-day bombing campaign in June, during which Iranian officials allege that certain Afghan settlers in Iran provided support to Israeli intelligence. Tasnim News Agency, a semi-official outlet, reported that the arrests were linked to suspicions of collaboration with Israel. State television went further, alleging that some refugees had played a role in aiding the bombing campaign.
The United Nations has confirmed a massive surge in Afghan returnees, revealing that over one million people have returned to Afghanistan since June 1, including at least 627,000 forcibly deported individuals. These mass deportations are occurring amid already dire circumstances in Afghanistan, a nation reeling under economic collapse, international sanctions, and ongoing conflict.
While Israel has not issued any official response to Iran’s accusations, the sweeping nature of the expulsions has raised alarm among humanitarian agencies, which warn of worsening conditions for displaced Afghan populations. Many of those deported have no access to shelter, food, or safety upon return to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.
Human rights groups have also voiced concerns over collective punishment and lack of due process, emphasizing the urgent need for international scrutiny and assistance. As geopolitical tensions deepen in the region, the fate of Afghan refugees caught in the crossfire remains increasingly uncertain.