Afghan migrants return home from Iran as poverty deepens

ISLAM QALA, Afghanistan — Mohammad Saeed was barely an adult when he crossed into Iran with his family in 2021, seeking refuge as the Taliban reclaimed control of Afghanistan. Now, financial desperation is pushing him and thousands of other Afghan migrants back across the border to face the very regime they once fled.

The economic deterioration in Iran, coupled with mounting restrictions on foreign workers, has left many Afghan refugees with few options. What was meant to be a temporary escape has become unsustainable as employment opportunities dry up and living costs soar, forcing families to reassess their circumstances and consider repatriation despite the Taliban's rule.

The return of Afghan migrants underscores the precarious situation facing displaced populations in the region. While some families harbour hopes of rebuilding lives in Afghanistan, others remain deeply uncertain about security and livelihood prospects under Taliban governance. The phenomenon reflects broader regional instability, with economic pressures in host countries now rivalling conflict as a driver of migration decisions.

International aid organisations have raised concerns about the capacity of Afghanistan's economy and infrastructure to absorb returning populations. The Taliban government continues to face international isolation and economic sanctions, limiting its ability to provide basic services and employment opportunities for returnees.