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UNHCR: Afghan returnees from Iran better off than those returning from Pakistan
In its Afghanistan Post-Return Monitoring Survey Report, released on Tuesday, UNHCR highlighted stark differences in the living conditions and challenges faced by returnees depending on their country of return.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) says Afghan refugees returning from Iran generally have higher levels of education, better food security, and more stable housing compared to those returning from Pakistan.
In its Afghanistan Post-Return Monitoring Survey Report, released on Tuesday, UNHCR highlighted stark differences in the living conditions and challenges faced by returnees depending on their country of return.
According to the report, Afghans returning from Iran often have greater access to education, improved food security, and better housing conditions. In contrast, returnees from Pakistan face severe economic hardship, are more dependent on daily wage labor, and carry heavier debt burdens.
UNHCR noted that returnees from Iran were slightly less likely to hold debt than those returning from Pakistan, while the gap between female-headed households (90 percent) and male-headed households (87 percent) remained relatively small.
The report further found that Afghan returnees from Pakistan—particularly recent arrivals—are more likely to rent accommodation and struggle to meet rental costs. By comparison, many returnees from Iran own homes or have inherited property. Access to safe drinking water and sanitation services was also found to be more limited among those returning from Pakistan.
On Monday alone, 2,827 Afghan migrants were repatriated from Iran and Pakistan, underscoring the continued scale of return movements.
Over the past four decades, Iran has remained one of the world’s largest host countries for refugees and migrants, despite facing significant economic and social pressures. The majority of these refugees are Afghans who fled conflict, insecurity, poverty, and prolonged crises in their homeland.
UNHCR data shows that Iran currently hosts around 773,000 registered Afghan refugees holding Amayesh cards, along with more than 2.7 million Afghans living in refugee-like conditions. With over 3.5 million refugees, Iran ranks as the world’s second-largest refugee-hosting country.
However, field reports and unofficial estimates suggest that as many as seven million Afghans may be residing in Iran, including around four million without legal documentation.
UNHCR has warned that Iran faces mounting challenges as the international community has provided less than one-third of the funding required to meet the humanitarian needs of refugees.
In a press release issued on October 27, UNHCR reported that more than 1.7 million Afghan refugees returned from Iran to Afghanistan during the first nine months of 2025, highlighting the growing pressure on both returnees and host communities.
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Afghanistan calls for restraint amid Saudi-UAE tensions in Yemen
Amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in Yemen, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has stated that it is closely monitoring recent developments and values the efforts of all relevant parties to achieve national unity, peace, and stability in the country.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on all sides to avoid any actions that could threaten the security and stability of Yemen and the wider region.
The ministry expressed hope that all stakeholders, particularly Yemeni parties, prioritize resolving disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding, in order to prevent further instability.
Recently, Saudi-led coalition forces launched an attack on the port city of Al-Mukalla in southern Yemen. Riyadh claimed the strike targeted a weapons shipment linked to the United Arab Emirates, reportedly intended for separatist groups.
Following the incident, the United Arab Emirates announced its decision to withdraw its forces from Yemen.
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Iran to grant long-term residency to Afghan refugees
Speaking to Iranian media, Mahmoudi emphasized that this support applies to individuals who meet legal and ethical requirements and have no criminal or security records.
Morteza Mahmoudi, a member of Iran’s parliamentary committee on internal affairs, announced that Afghan refugees with over 30 years of residence in Iran, along with their second and third-generation descendants, will receive long-term residency under official government support.
Speaking to Iranian media, Mahmoudi emphasized that this support applies to individuals who meet legal and ethical requirements and have no criminal or security records.
He stated, “These individuals are an integral part of Iran’s social and economic fabric, and our approach toward them is humanitarian, civilizational, and supportive—not temporary or security-focused.”
The announcement comes as the Iranian Parliament finalizes the National Immigration Organization bill, raising hopes for a fair and systematic resolution of Afghan refugees’ status in the country.
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Afghanistan, Oman discuss expanding transport and aviation cooperation
Officials said the meetings reflect both countries’ interest in boosting regional connectivity, facilitating trade and transit, and enhancing technical cooperation in civil aviation.
Afghanistan’s Minister of Transport and Aviation, Hamidullah Akhundzada, has met with senior Omani officials to explore ways of strengthening bilateral cooperation in transport and aviation sectors.
During a meeting with Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Saeed bin Hamoud Al Maawali, the two sides discussed expanding transport relations, enhancing bilateral cooperation in transport services, and reviewing potential memorandums of understanding in the sector.
In a separate meeting with Naif bin Ali Al Amri, President of Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority, discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in air traffic services, cargo transportation, the development of air corridors, and capacity-building for professional aviation staff.
Officials said the meetings reflect both countries’ interest in boosting regional connectivity, facilitating trade and transit, and enhancing technical cooperation in civil aviation.
The talks are seen as part of broader efforts to deepen regional partnerships and support the development of Afghanistan’s transport and aviation infrastructure.
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