Iran to issue 200,000 work visas to Afghan nationals

Iran has announced plans to issue 200,000 work visas to Afghan nationals, officials confirmed following a meeting between Mohammad Reza Bahrami, Head of South Asia Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Afghanistan’s Minister of Refugees and Repatriation.

Bahrami highlighted that trade relations between Kabul and Tehran have made significant progress, and he expects that high-ranking Iranian officials will soon visit Kabul to further strengthen joint cooperation and commercial ties. He added that Iran has honored its commitments toward Afghan refugees and emphasized that collaboration with Kabul will continue to address the issue of illegal Afghan residency in Iran.

He also expressed concern over recent tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, noting that Iran is prepared to act as a mediator between Kabul and Islamabad, pending the approval of the Islamic Emirate.

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir welcomed the move, stressing that Iran should treat Afghan refugees with leniency and prevent the loss of their assets. He reiterated that the Islamic Emirate encourages Afghan refugees abroad to return home and urged host countries not to forcibly deport Afghan nationals. Abdul Kabir described Iran’s issuance of work visas as a significant step and confirmed that the Islamic Emirate will submit a plan to Tehran to address the concerns of Afghan residents in Iran.

He further emphasized that using Afghan territory against others is not a policy of the Islamic Emirate and called on neighboring countries to resolve disputes through dialogue and collaboration with religious scholars rather than accusations.