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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.
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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Security Sources: Pakistani military shelling in Kunar and Nuristan leaves female doctor dead
The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River.
Security sources report that several security incidents in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan have resulted in the death of a female doctor, injuries to others, and several people reported missing.
According to the sources, early Thursday morning at around 9:30 a.m., Pakistani military forces opened fire on a Toyota vehicle in the Dokalam Baghcha area of Nari district in Kunar province.
The sources said the vehicle was struck by gunfire and subsequently fell into the Kunar River. As a result of the incident, a female doctor was killed and another person was injured. Five other individuals who were reportedly in the vehicle remain missing, the sources added.
In a separate incident, security sources stated that around 11:00 a.m. in the Seno area of Shultan district, Kunar province, Pakistani forces carried out artillery shelling that left one person injured. The injured individual was transferred to the provincial hospital for medical treatment.
Meanwhile, security sources in Nuristan say that despite Pakistan’s announced ceasefire, the main road between Kamdesh and Barg-e-Matal districts has been completely closed to traffic since Thursday morning.
According to the sources, the closure of the route has caused serious difficulties for local residents, preventing any movement in the area. The sources also claim that Pakistani military posts are located within close proximity of the road and have opened fire on people attempting to pass through the area.
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UN Secretary-General condemns Pakistani airstrike on Kabul rehab center
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
The United Nations Secretary-General has strongly condemned a Pakistani airstrike on a rehabilitation center for addicts in Kabul and expressed condolences to the families of the victims.
The attack, which occurred on March 16, reportedly left over 600 people killed or injured, according to local sources.
In an official statement, Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, emphasized that under international humanitarian law, patients, medical staff, and healthcare facilities, including hospitals, must be respected and protected at all times.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated: “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the airstrike in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, on March 16, which reportedly resulted in the deaths and injuries of civilians at a medical facility.”
Haq added that Guterres has called for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident, while offering his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery for the injured.
The Secretary-General reiterated the urgent need to reduce tensions and immediately halt hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, emphasizing that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful solutions in accordance with the UN Charter.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern over rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the importance of diplomacy to resolve conflicts.
This development comes after Afghanistan and Pakistan announced a temporary cessation of hostilities ahead of Eid al-Fitr, a move that regional officials hope will pave the way for a lasting ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians in both countries.
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IEA Supreme Leader: Afghanistan’s victory lies in faith and National unity
Akhundzada also called on citizens to support the Islamic Emirate, stating that those serving in the current system are the sons of the same nation and people.
Eid al-Fitr prayers were held on Thursday at the Eidgah Mosque in Kandahar, led by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, with a large number of residents attending the ceremony.
During his sermon, Akhundzada said that if the people of Afghanistan were meant to be destroyed by bombardments and military attacks, it would have happened during the wars with the Soviet Union and the United States.
According to the Islamic Emirate leader, the key to Afghanistan’s victory and resilience lies in reliance on Islam, preservation of religious beliefs, and unity among the people. He stressed that by adhering to Islamic values, no country would be able to harm Afghanistan.
Akhundzada also called on citizens to support the Islamic Emirate, stating that those serving in the current system are the sons of the same nation and people.
At the same time, he urged government officials to ensure justice in their duties, warning that no system can survive through oppression. He added that the implementation of decrees and laws is necessary to reform society and maintain order in the country.
The Islamic Emirate leader further said that without Islam, Afghanistan could have remained under the control of the United States and NATO, but now, according to him, the country stands as an independent and free nation.
In the economic section of his remarks, Akhundzada called on traders to avoid hoarding goods and instead assist fellow Muslims in difficult times. He warned that individuals found hoarding commodities for up to 40 days would face legal consequences.
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