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Iranian FM and UNHCR chief discuss Afghan refugee situation

The two sides reviewed the current level of cooperation between the Iranian government and the UNHCR, with a focus on repatriation strategies and support for returnees.

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UNHCR chief with Iran FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi met with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi in Tehran on Tuesday to discuss the situation of Afghan refugees in Iran and ongoing efforts to facilitate their return to Afghanistan.

According to a statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry, the two sides reviewed the current level of cooperation between the Iranian government and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), with a focus on repatriation strategies and support for returnees.

Araghchi highlighted Iran’s decades-long role as a host to millions of Afghan refugees and displaced persons, stating that Tehran remains committed to advancing a comprehensive plan for the voluntary return of refugees and the repatriation of undocumented migrants.

He urged stronger cooperation from both the Afghan authorities and the UN in accelerating return efforts and called for concrete steps to create employment and reintegration opportunities for returnees inside Afghanistan.

“After more than five decades of hosting, the voluntary and dignified return of Afghan nationals must be supported through sustainable solutions on the ground,” Araghchi said.

Grandi commended Iran’s longstanding partnership with the UNHCR and acknowledged the services provided to Afghan refugees over the years.

He briefed Araghchi on his recent visit to Afghanistan, where he held talks with officials regarding the repatriation process and the conditions required to ensure the safe return of Afghans from Iran.

Grandi emphasized the need for continued coordination between the two countries to ensure that the repatriation process is voluntary, dignified, and aligned with international humanitarian standards.

“Iran’s contribution to refugee protection is notable, and with sustained collaboration, we can work toward a durable solution that respects the rights of returnees and supports their reintegration,” he said.

The meeting comes amid a marked increase in the number of Afghan nationals returning from Iran.

On July 16, Iran’s Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni announced that nearly 800,000 Afghans had left the country since March 21, 2025, with approximately 70 percent (around 560,000 individuals) returning voluntarily, according to figures reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

Iran hosts one of the world’s largest populations of Afghan refugees, many of whom fled successive waves of conflict over the past four decades. While some hold formal refugee status, a large number remain undocumented and face mounting legal and economic pressures amid Iran’s increasingly strict migration policies.

Human rights groups and international observers have urged both Iran and the UN to ensure that all returns remain voluntary and are accompanied by guarantees of safety, support, and reintegration for those returning to a country still facing deep humanitarian and economic challenges.

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IEA should respond to Pakistan’s security concerns with concrete actions: Andrabi

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Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Hussain Andrabi says both Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sadyr Japarov, the President of Kyrgyzstan, who visited Islamabad on Thursday, expressed their mutual commitment to a peaceful, stable Afghanistan with a sustainable future for the Afghan people.

Speaking in a press conference on Friday, Andrabi stated that both sides agreed that the Islamic Emirate must fulfill its obligations toward the international community and take concrete steps against terrorist groups to address Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns.

This comes while the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has repeatedly emphasized that no terrorist groups operate from Afghan territory and that it will not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against any country.

The Islamic Emirate has also stated that Pakistan’s security concerns are an internal issue of that country, and Pakistan itself must take measures to prevent any security incidents.

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Malaysia’s PM calls peaceful solution to Afghanistan-Pakistan tensions

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Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has voiced deep concern over escalating tensions between the Afghanistan–Pakistan during a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Anwar said he emphasized Malaysia’s concerns regarding regional stability and urged all parties to pursue a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation.

His remarks follow media reports indicating heightened tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan after a series of attacks in October.

During the call, the two leaders also exchanged views on several aspects of Malaysia–Pakistan bilateral relations.

Anwar also briefed Sharif on the ongoing flood situation in Malaysia and similar challenges facing neighboring countries, including Indonesia and Thailand.

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Afghanistan makes major strides in cutting drug trafficking, says Putin

Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin says Afghanistan has taken “active and effective” steps to curb drug trafficking, noting a significant drop in opium production across the country. He made the remarks during an exclusive interview with India Today during his India trip, highlighting what he described as “visible progress” in Afghanistan’s internal security efforts.

Putin stated that Afghan authorities have “substantially reduced” opium cultivation and are “seriously confronting” drug-related threats from within their borders. He added that Afghanistan has also made important advancements in the fight against terrorism.

Responding to a question about why Russia officially recognized the Islamic Emirate, the Russian president said Afghanistan had been engulfed in civil conflict for many years, but the current authorities now hold control over the country. “This is the reality, and it must be acknowledged,” Putin emphasized.

He further noted that maintaining contact with Afghanistan’s leadership is crucial for shaping events inside the country. “If you want influence, you must engage with the people in charge — and that is exactly what we are doing,” he said.

Putin’s remarks come as several regional powers continue to recalibrate their diplomatic strategies toward Afghanistan, focusing on stability, counterterrorism, and economic cooperation.

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