Eskandar Momeni, Iran’s Interior Minister, has recently stated that around two million undocumented migrants are living in Iran, and the country can no longer handle such a large number.
According to ISNA News Agency, Momeni made these remarks on Friday, 16 May, during a visit to the province of Kerman. He emphasized that returning migrants is a priority, saying: “We have repeatedly stated that our top priority is the return of these individuals to their home countries.”
Despite Iran’s historical, cultural, and religious ties with its neighbors, Momeni said the country no longer has the capacity to host so many “guests.”
He added that job opportunities in Iran have been impacted by the presence of migrants, and government resources such as subsidies are being used to support them. Momeni expressed hope that migrants would return home and contribute to the reconstruction of their own country.
These comments come as the repatriation and deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran has intensified. Iranian authorities have called on those holding census registration papers—estimated to exceed two million people—to leave the country. Meanwhile, undocumented migrants are being detained and deported across the borders.
At the same time, Pakistan is carrying out a similar campaign. For decades, Iran and Pakistan have hosted millions of Afghan migrants. However, despite this new wave of deportations, the economic and security situation in Afghanistan remains fragile and difficult.
