Foreign Nationals’ Activities Monitored by Security Forces, Says Tehran Governor

Tehran Governor Alireza Fakhari announced that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s security forces are closely monitoring all activities of foreign nationals in the country.

He emphasised that no individual is beyond the reach of Iran’s extensive surveillance network.

On Friday, August 9, the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) quoted Fakhari as saying, "Even if someone enters the country through gaps in the system, they will not evade our control and surveillance network. The authorities are precisely observing the behaviour and actions of foreign nationals with full vigilance."

Fakhari’s remarks come amid a recent escalation in pressure on Afghan migrants in Iran. In recent days, widespread criticism has emerged following reports of violent behaviour by Iranian police officers in the village of Absard, Damavand County, Tehran, towards Mahdi Mousavi, an Afghan migrant. Sources told Afghanistan International that Mousavi sustained a neck injury due to a police officer's use of excessive force.

Additionally, two days ago, Ahmad Reza Radan, the Chief of Iran’s Law Enforcement Force, announced that undocumented foreign nationals must leave Iran and return to their home countries by the end of this year, describing the deportation as a strategic policy of the Islamic Republic.

On the same day, Alireza Fatehinejad, the Governor of Shahriar County in Tehran, announced the commencement of operations to collect illegal migrants in the county.

During a meeting with Iranian officials, he emphasised that undocumented Afghan migrants would be deported as part of this initiative.