TEHRAN – Iran and Afghanistan continue to hold high-level consultations to promote the voluntary return of Afghan nationals resident in Iran as part of a broader effort to strengthen bilateral cooperation in border control and consular affairs.
The issue was notable in a telephone conversation between Afghanistan’s representative foreign minister Abbas Araguchi and Maurawi Amir Khan Muttaki on Sunday. The two staff discussed the need to coordinate consular services, secure borders and support Afghan citizens who wish to voluntarily return to their homelands with dignity.
Iran hosts one of the world’s largest and longest-running refugee groups, most of which are Afghan refugees.
A total of 717,658 Afghans returned to Afghanistan from March 21 to June 27. Over 80% of them have voluntarily left the country.
According to the head of the National Immigration Agency at Nader Yar-Ahmadi, there was no residency and the type of services offered to documented Afghans living in the country. On the contrary, as illegal citizens leave the country, they will benefit from more services, the IRNA reported.
Global experience shows that at best immigrants can make up 3% of the population of any country. Iran’s population is estimated to reach around 90 million next year, which means that 3 million migrants. Currently, the country has over 6.1 million citizens and should gradually decrease, Yar-Ahmadi added.
According to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Association (IFRC), the number of Afghans returning from Iran this year exceeds 800,000. Over 137,000 people returned to Afghanistan via the Islamic Kara border in June alone.
Iran’s water rights discussed at a meeting with Kabul: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeir Baghihai on Monday emphasized that Iran’s water rights from the Helmand River are a matter of existence in every round with Afghan authorities.
“In all discussions with the Afghan side, including the latest calls focused on Gaza, the issue of Iran’s legitimate water share is being raised as part of a broader review of the connections on both sides,” Baguey said at a weekly press conference on Monday.
He reiterated that the issue is one of Iran’s diplomatic priorities in its involvement with Kabul.
Baghaei also addressed speculation about the possibility of a presidential visit to Afghanistan, making it clear that “the official programme has not been communicated” in this regard. However, he noted that Iran is committed to maintaining strong neighbourial relationships and maintaining ongoing dialogue with Afghanistan based on mutual respect and regional stability.