Mon Jun 30 06:22:23 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

This article from The Hindu reports on a significant surge in Afghan refugees returning from Iran to Afghanistan in June 2025. The increase is attributed to increased deportations and pressure from Iran on undocumented Afghans to leave before a July 6 deadline. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that over 230,000 Afghans returned in June alone, with 70% of the nearly 700,000 returnees since January being forcibly deported. While the daily numbers have decreased slightly recently, they are expected to rise again before the deadline. A top Taliban official is offering amnesty and encouraging Afghans who fled the country to return.

**News Article:**

**Afghan Refugee Crisis: Mass Deportations from Iran Spark Surge in Returns**

*Islam Qala, Afghanistan – June 30, 2025* – A massive wave of Afghan refugees is flooding back into Afghanistan from Iran, triggered by a looming deadline set by Tehran for undocumented Afghans to leave the country. The United Nations migration agency, IOM, reports that over 230,000 Afghans returned from Iran in June alone, with daily return numbers reaching as high as 30,000 last week.

“From June 1st to 28th, 233,941 people returned from Iran to Afghanistan,” said IOM spokesman Avand Azeez Agha. He added that over 70% of the nearly 700,000 Afghans who have returned since the start of 2025 were forcibly deported.

The surge in returns comes as Iran announced a July 6th deadline in May for undocumented Afghans to leave the country, resulting in increased pressure and deportations. While daily return figures have recently dipped to around 6,000-7,000, both Taliban border authorities and the UN anticipate a further increase as the deadline approaches.

The influx presents a significant challenge for Afghanistan, which is already grappling with its own internal issues. In response, a top Taliban official is offering amnesty to Afghans who fled the country and urging them to return. However, the capacity of the country to support such a large influx of returnees remains a concern.

The international community is closely monitoring the situation and providing assistance to the returning refugees. The IOM is working to provide humanitarian aid and support to those affected by the crisis.

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