In her article “One of the World’s Largest Refugee Populations, Afghans Have Faced Increasing Restrictions in Iran,” published on January 7, 2025, in Migration Information Source (published by the Migration Policy Institute) Assistant Professor Mitra Naseh examines the challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Iran. She highlights that as of mid-2024, Iran hosts approximately 3.8 million refugees, with 99% originating from Afghanistan. Despite Iran’s longstanding role as a refuge for Afghans fleeing conflict, recent years have seen the Iranian government imposing stricter regulations on Afghan refugees. These measures include limitations on movement, employment, and access to essential services, exacerbating the difficulties for this vulnerable population. Naseh’s insights were developed following her participation in the Op-Ed Project’s “Write to Change the World” workshop, which aims to amplify underrepresented voices in public discourse.
Afghan Refugees in Iran Face Growing Challenges
