Former Iranian diplomat Rasoul Mousavi, who previously served as Director General for South Asian Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has stressed that Afghan migrants in Iran should not be equated with foreign spies.

His comments were published in an interview with a local media outlet and come amid growing tensions related to Afghan refugees in the country.

“Afghan migrants are not aligned with enemy intelligence agents,” Mousavi stated, urging Iranian authorities to address migration issues with patience and respect for human dignity.

His remarks follow recent developments during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel, during which several Afghan migrants were reportedly detained by Iranian authorities on allegations of espionage and collaboration with Israel.

Iranian state media also aired videos of two Afghan nationals allegedly confessing to working with Israeli intelligence services.

In the days following the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, Iran has seen an unusual spike in the deportation of Afghan migrants.

Drawing on his extensive experience with Afghan affairs, Mousavi stated: “As someone who has worked for years on Afghanistan and is well acquainted with the Afghan people, I can confidently say their hatred toward Israeli spies and hostile intelligence agencies is no less than our own—perhaps even greater.”

He called on Iranian officials to distinguish between unauthorized migrants and those genuinely involved in hostile intelligence activities.

“Handling espionage cases must be separated from the broader issue of undocumented Afghan nationals,” he added.

Mousavi’s appeal for a more humane and measured approach adds to growing domestic and international calls for Iran to ensure fair treatment of Afghan refugees.