Iran’s military has constructed a wall spanning over 10 kilometers along its eastern border with Afghanistan, the primary entry point for immigrants, as part of its efforts to control the flow of refugees. This development was reported by local media on Monday, citing General Nozar Nemati, the deputy commander of Iran’s army ground forces.
According to the ISNA news agency, the Iranian military has not only completed more than 10 kilometers of the wall but also has plans to extend it by an additional 50 kilometers in the coming months. General Nemati emphasized the purpose of this wall is to “control the country’s entries and exits” and “enhance the security of border areas.”
Iran’s Extensive Border with Afghanistan
Iran shares a lengthy border of over 900 kilometers with Afghanistan and hosts one of the world’s largest refugee populations, a significant portion of which comprises Afghan nationals. For more than four decades, Iran has been a destination for Afghans fleeing conflict, with many integrating into Iranian society over time.
The influx of Afghan migrants has intensified since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. forces. This surge in migration has prompted Iranian authorities to take more stringent measures to regulate and monitor the entry of Afghan refugees.
While Tehran has not released official statistics on the exact number of Afghan immigrants in the country, Abolfazl Torabi, a member of Iran’s parliament, estimated the figure to be “between six and seven million.” This sizable population includes both documented and undocumented refugees, who have sought refuge in Iran due to ongoing instability in Afghanistan.
Increasing Measures Against Illegal Immigration
Iranian authorities have recently intensified their efforts to address the issue of “illegal” immigrants. The government has been increasingly vocal about expelling those who have entered the country without proper documentation and has regularly announced the deportation of individuals through the eastern border.
In September, General Nemati mentioned that in addition to the wall, other barriers such as barbed wire and water-filled ditches will be employed to fortify the border with Afghanistan. This strategy is part of a broader attempt to limit unauthorized entry and ensure the country’s security.
Moreover, Ebrahim Rezaei, the spokesperson for the parliamentary National Security Committee, stated on September 13 that police are preparing to “expel more than two million illegal citizens in the near future.” This initiative reflects the government’s determination to manage the influx of Afghan refugees, many of whom enter Iran without any identity papers.
According to the official IRNA news agency, more than 90% of the foreign nationals currently in Iran are Afghan, with the majority lacking proper documentation. This has prompted Iran’s government to take decisive action to manage the undocumented population. President Masoud Pezeshkian has indicated that the government plans to “repatriate illegal nationals to their country in a respectful manner.”
In the year beginning in March 2023, Iran hosted more than 2.7 million documented Afghan refugees, as reported by the Statistics Centre. This substantial figure highlights Iran’s role as a major refuge for those escaping conflict in Afghanistan, but also underscores the challenges the country faces in managing this large population. As a result, Iran is actively working to strengthen its border control measures to address both security concerns and the growing pressure from migrant inflows.
