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Khalilzad condemns Iran’s ‘brutal’ mass deportation of Afghan migrants
Migrants are being pulled off the streets without notice, loaded onto buses, and abandoned at the Afghan border, Khalilzad said.
Former U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad has sharply criticized Iran’s ongoing mass deportation of Afghan migrants, describing the expulsions as “brutal” and warning of the severe humanitarian consequences facing Afghanistan.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Khalilzad said he had received alarming firsthand reports from humanitarian workers operating near the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat province, where thousands of Afghans are being forcibly repatriated by Iranian authorities.
Migrants are being pulled off the streets without notice, loaded onto buses, and abandoned at the Afghan border, Khalilzad said.
“When migrants attempt to leave peacefully and with their families, they are told their relatives will be deported separately and that they must find them on their own,” Khalilzad said.
He urged the Islamic Republic of Iran to scale back the pace of deportations and coordinate repatriation efforts with Afghan civil organizations and international aid agencies, including the UN and NGOs, to ensure that returns are conducted in a humane and orderly manner.
The Iranian deportations come amid mounting economic and security pressures inside Iran, where Afghan refugees – many undocumented – have long made up one of the region’s largest displaced populations.
Human rights organizations report that hundreds of thousands of Afghans have been expelled from Iran this year, straining the already fragile humanitarian infrastructure in western Afghanistan.
Khalilzad meanwhile warned Tuesday that many of these deportees have no homes or family networks to return to, having fled years earlier due to war and drought.
Analysts have meanwhile stated that Afghanistan is in no position to absorb returnees at this scale and speed, especially as the country is already contending with a humanitarian crisis.
Iran has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades, many of whom fled conflict during the Soviet occupation in the 1980s and, more recently, during the two-decade U.S. war in Afghanistan. While some refugees have legal status, the majority remain undocumented and vulnerable to arrest, detention, and deportation.
In recent years, Iran’s economic crisis – worsened by U.S. sanctions, inflation, and internal political unrest – has fueled anti-migrant sentiment.
Khalilzad’s statement adds to a growing number of international calls urging Iran to reconsider its expulsion policy. Aid groups working on the ground say they are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of returnees, many of whom arrive without documentation, money, or access to shelter or medical care.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) have repeatedly called for greater coordination and for host countries to avoid forced returns unless conditions inside Afghanistan allow for safe reintegration.
With Afghanistan still reeling from economic collapse, international isolation, and the long-term effects of war, observers say the country cannot manage mass returns without coordinated international assistance.
Afghanistan marked the 10th of Muharram, the Day of Ashura, with religious ceremonies held across Kabul and several other provinces, as thousands of mourners gathered to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Ashura commemorates one of the most significant events in Islamic history, when Imam Hussain (RA) and 72 of his loyal companions were martyred in the Battle of Karbala. The occasion is observed annually across the Muslim world through prayers, mourning ceremonies, and acts of charity.
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai described Ashura as an opportunity to strengthen national unity and solidarity. In a message marking the occasion, he expressed hope that Afghans would draw inspiration from the spiritual significance of Ashura and work together for the
progress, prosperity, and development of a united Afghanistan enriched by knowledge and education.
Religious scholars also emphasized that the uprising of Imam Hussain (RA) continues to symbolize justice, sacrifice, unity, and resistance against oppression, carrying a timeless message for Muslim societies and humanity as a whole.
Meanwhile, officials of the Islamic Emirate attending Ashura commemorations said all necessary measures had been taken to ensure religious ceremonies were held peacefully and securely across the country.
The Ministry of Interior also confirmed that extensive security measures had been implemented for Ashura, with large numbers of security personnel deployed to protect mourners, mosques, Hussainiyas, and other venues hosting commemorative events.
In Kabul and several other provinces, Ashura ceremonies concluded peacefully as worshippers observed the occasion through prayers, religious gatherings, and the distribution of food and charity in memory of the martyrs of Karbala.
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Afghanistan records historic 95% drop in opium production: UNODC
Afghan authorities maintain that the cultivation, production, and trafficking of narcotics in the country have been reduced to near zero under current enforcement measures.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says Afghanistan’s anti-narcotics campaign has achieved a “historic record” following a 95% reduction in opium poppy cultivation over the past three years, while warning that the growing production of synthetic drugs is emerging as a major global concern.
In an interview with Ariana News, the UNODC representative in Afghanistan said the narcotics situation in the country has changed significantly since the 2022 ban on the cultivation and production of illicit drugs, with sustained reductions recorded between 2023 and 2025.
UNODC representative Polleak Ok Serei described the development as unprecedented, saying the 95% reduction in poppy cultivation represents a major global milestone.
“In the past three years — 2023, 2024, and 2025 — the 95% reduction in opium poppy cultivation has been maintained. This is a remarkable achievement and a truly historic record. Previous efforts lasted only one year,” he said. “This is not only important for Afghanistan, but for the entire world, as Afghanistan previously produced around 80% of the global illicit opium supply.”
He added that following these developments, UNODC has adjusted its programs, shifting greater focus toward alternative livelihoods for farmers who previously depended on poppy cultivation.
According to him, while these efforts have shown progress, they remain insufficient due to Afghanistan’s broader humanitarian, economic, and environmental challenges.
UNODC also warned that the shift from traditional narcotics to synthetic drugs is creating new challenges for health systems, requiring updated medical responses and treatment approaches.
“We have had to adapt our activities accordingly,” the UN official said. “We are focusing heavily on alternative livelihoods for farmers, because those previously dependent on this production need new sources of income. We also had to reassess health interventions, particularly due to the shift from traditional drugs to synthetic drugs, which requires different medical approaches.”
The UN agency stressed that drug trafficking is a transnational issue requiring coordinated international cooperation among law enforcement and judicial authorities.
“Drug trafficking is a cross-border phenomenon. There are traffickers operating not only inside Afghanistan but also outside the country. Therefore, international cooperation between police and judicial authorities is essential,” he said.
UNODC called on neighboring countries and the international community to increase cooperation and investment in long-term solutions, including rural livelihoods, addiction treatment, and dismantling trafficking networks.
The statement comes as UNODC’s World Drug Report 2026 highlights rapid changes in global drug markets, driven by technology, instability, and the emergence of new synthetic substances.
According to the report, global drug production and trafficking patterns are shifting significantly, particularly in the opioid market. While Afghanistan’s opium production has sharply declined since 2022, production increases in countries such as Myanmar have not fully offset global supply changes, leading traffickers to increasingly turn toward synthetic opioids such as fentanyl and other highly potent substances.
The report warns that these new synthetic drugs can be significantly more powerful and deadly than traditional narcotics, posing serious risks to public health and security worldwide.
UNODC also noted that rising global demand for drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine is expanding trafficking routes into new regions, including Africa and Asia, further complicating international control efforts.
Meanwhile, Afghan authorities maintain that the cultivation, production, and trafficking of narcotics in the country have been reduced to near zero under current enforcement measures.
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai has marked Ashura, the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, describing the occasion as a symbol of reform, sacrifice, and social responsibility.
In a message posted on X, Karzai said Imam Hussein stood against social injustice and deviation, calling on society to embrace reform and righteousness. He said the historic events of Karbala continue to inspire responsibility, courage, and awareness among Muslims.
Karzai added that the people of Afghanistan, like Muslims around the world, commemorate Ashura and regard love for the family of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a source of unity and brotherhood.
He also expressed hope that Afghans would use the spiritual significance of Ashura to strengthen national unity and work together for the country’s progress, prosperity, and advancement through education and knowledge.
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