Continuing the statements of Islamic Republic officials against Afghan citizens in Iran, the governor of Tehran has threatened that illegal immigrants will be deprived of what he called 'urban and non-urban services.' Alireza Fakhari stated on Saturday, September 1, to the Mehr News Agency: 'Illegal immigrants must leave the country quickly, and this plan is a serious and obvious matter that must be implemented at the level of Tehran province.' Iranian officials typically use the term 'immigrants' to refer to Afghan citizens residing in Iran, regardless of their legal or illegal status. In recent months, there have been numerous reports of the detention and expulsion of foreign nationals from Iran in domestic media, and although these reports do not specify the nationality of these individuals, a summary of other reports indicates that most of these individuals are Afghan citizens. The commander of the Iranian police also stated that illegal immigrants must return to their country by the end of the year. Additionally, the statements of Iranian officials come at a time when sensitivities regarding the presence of migrants in Iran have increased on social media in recent weeks, with supporters and opponents engaging in verbal disputes over the issue. Less than a month ago, the commander of the Islamic Republic's police stated that 'illegal' migrants must leave Iranian soil by the end of the year and return to their country. According to Ahmadreza Radan, 'the policies and programs are based on the return of all illegal immigrants.' Now, the governor of Tehran says: 'Illegal immigrants will be deprived of services, and the costs associated with urban and non-urban areas in places where illegal immigrants exist will certainly be charged to them.' He did not provide further details about this deprivation, its dimensions, or what he meant by 'costs.' Alireza Fakhari also mentioned that the police are daily engaged in 'screening' legal and illegal immigrants, and those whose residency has expired 'must quickly leave the country or obtain a new permit to remain in the country.' In August of this year, a video circulated on social media showing the violent treatment of an Afghan migrant by Iranian police, which received widespread reactions. Previously, Ahmad Vahidi, Iran's Minister of Interior, stated that nearly 1.3 million foreign nationals have been 'expelled' in the year leading up to Ordibehesht 1403 (April 2024).
Tehran Governor: Illegal Immigrants Will Be Deprived of Urban and Non-Urban Services
The governor of Tehran has announced that illegal immigrants, particularly Afghan nationals, will be deprived of urban services and must leave the country quickly. This statement reflects a broader trend of increasing hostility towards Afghan migrants in Iran, amidst rising tensions on social media regarding their presence. The situation highlights ongoing government policies aimed at expelling foreign nationals, particularly as the Iranian police intensify their enforcement actions.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The governor of Tehran announced that illegal immigrants, particularly Afghan nationals, will be denied urban services and must leave Iran quickly. This reflects a growing trend of hostility towards Afghan migrants amid increasing government enforcement actions.
- The Iranian police have intensified efforts to expel illegal immigrants, with a target for all to leave by the end of the year.
- Recent social media activity has heightened tensions regarding the presence of Afghan migrants in Iran.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran hosts a significant number of Afghan migrants, many of whom are undocumented. The government's recent stance reflects growing domestic pressures and a desire to control immigration.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%