Zahedan Police Detain Over 600 Undocumented Afghan Migrants

Police in Zahedan, the capital of Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province, have detained at least 661 undocumented Afghan migrants, authorities said.

Hamid Noori, the city’s police chief, announced that the arrests were made over the past week. The detained individuals have been handed over to the relevant authorities for deportation, he said.

Noori described the detentions as part of a broader initiative to “enhance social security and promote public satisfaction,” and said the effort was aimed at combating crime.

Iranian authorities have recently stepped up the detention and deportation of Afghan migrants.

Fatemeh Mohajerani, spokesperson for the Iranian government, previously stated that under Iranian law, Afghan migrants with proper documentation are permitted to reside in the country, while those without legal papers will be deported.

Meanwhile, during recent Eid speeches, several Taliban officials called for an end to the mass deportation of Afghan migrants from neighbouring countries. Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s minister of refugees and repatriation, urged neighbouring states to show patience and tolerance towards Afghan refugees.