Sat Jun 28 08:18:52 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Afghans Trapped in Iran Amidst Conflict, Facing Displacement and Vulnerability**
Tehran, Iran – As global attention remains fixated on the conflict between Iran and Israel, a forgotten population is caught in the crossfire: Afghan refugees who sought safety in Iran only to find themselves in another danger zone.
Following recent Israeli strikes in Tehran, the vulnerability of these refugees has been brought to light. Many, like Shamsi, a 34-year-old Afghan mother of two, fled Taliban rule in Afghanistan seeking refuge in Iran. However, without legal documentation, they face a precarious existence marked by fear, limited access to aid, and constant risk of deportation.
“I escaped the Taliban, but bombs were raining over our heads here,” Shamsi told Al Jazeera.
Iran hosts an estimated 3.5 million refugees and people in refugee-like situations, including some 750,000 registered Afghans. However, over 2.6 million are undocumented, making them particularly vulnerable. Since the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021, thousands more Afghans have crossed into Iran, seeking safety from persecution.
During the recent 12-day conflict, Tehran province, home to an estimated 1.5 million Afghan refugees, witnessed Israeli strikes that left many Afghans feeling exposed and helpless. Internet blackouts further hampered their ability to access information or contact loved ones. Tragically, at least three Afghan migrants died in the strikes.
“They were stuck inside a construction site in central Tehran with no food,” explained Hakimi, an elderly Afghan man who had not heard from his grandsons in days. “If they get out, they will get deported by police.”
The United Nations has expressed concerns about the safety of Afghan migrants in Iran, with Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett urging all parties to ensure their protection.
While a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and the US has provided some relief, many Afghans are now facing financial hardship as employers have fled, leaving them without wages. Despite the dangers, some Afghans are choosing to return to Afghanistan, with World Vision reporting approximately 7,000 Afghans crossing the border daily.
As tensions remain high, organizations like the Afghan Women Activists’ Coordinating Body (AWACB) are working to relocate vulnerable Afghans to safer areas within Iran. However, resources are limited, and the future remains uncertain for many.
“We came here for safety,” Shamsi said, resigned to staying in Iran despite the risks, as returning to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan is not an option.
The situation underscores the urgent need for humanitarian aid and protection for Afghan refugees caught between two conflicts, with nowhere left to turn.
First Piper 