Iran Arrests 150 Undocumented Afghan Migrants In Sistan & Baluchestan

Iranian security forces have arrested 150 undocumented Afghan migrants in Sistan and Baluchestan province, according to Ebrahim Nouri, police commander of Hamun County.

Nouri stated that the arrests were part of the “Social Security Enhancement” initiative. He confirmed that the detained migrants have been handed over to authorities for deportation.

On Sunday, 9 March, Nouri said the operation aimed to improve social security and increase public satisfaction. He also reported that several drug addicts and small-scale drug dealers were arrested during the crackdown. He stressed that tackling illegal migration remains a top priority for security forces.

Authorities in Sistan and Baluchestan, which shares a border with Afghanistan, have recently intensified deportations of Afghan migrants. On Saturday, Hamid Noori, police chief of Zahedan province, reported that 486 Afghan migrants were arrested under the same initiative and transferred for deportation.

Earlier, Ali Akbar Habibifar, police chief of Zabol city, announced the arrest of 172 undocumented Afghan migrants.

In the past year, Iran has tightened restrictions on Afghan migrants, making work and living conditions increasingly difficult. Under new Iranian laws, employing or renting property to Afghan migrants is now a criminal offence punishable by prosecution.