Iran Approves New Regulation Banning Afghans From Some Provinces

The head of Iran's Centre for Migrant Affairs announced that according to a new regulation, the movement, accommodation, and employment of immigrants have been banned in some areas.

Nader Yar-Ahmadi mentioned East and West Azerbaijan, Zanjan, Sistan and Baluchestan and Mazandaran as no-go zones for immigrants.

Nader Yar-Ahmadi, head of the Centre for Migrant Affairs and an advisor to the Ministry of Interior of the Islamic Republic of Iran, said that in areas prohibited for immigrants, foreign citizens can only be present for tourism and investment purposes with a suitable visa.

The official added that the presence and employment of Afghan refugees in Mazandaran is prohibited, even for a short time. He acknowledged that Afghan immigrants can only visit the province with tourist visas.

Nader Yar-Ahmadi also warned that some employers in Mazandaran have illegally hired Afghan migrants, which could pose "security risks". He called on employers to refrain from hiring migrants in restricted areas and to cooperate with the police.

Recently, the Islamic Republic has made living conditions extremely difficult for Afghan refugees without residency documents and has also intensified the process of deportation of these migrants.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) confirmed on Friday that the Islamic Republic has deported many Afghan refugees with valid residency documents over the past year. The organisation also announced that Iran has significantly increased the forced return and deportation of migrants in 2024.