Iran has hosted one of the largest displaced populations in the world for more than four decades. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 triggered the first major wave of Afghan refugees seeking safety in neighboring countries, including Iran. Continued instability, conflict, economic hardship, and social restrictions in Afghanistan have sustained this movement over the years, with refugee flows peaking during periods of intensified crisis.

Following the Taliban takeover in 2021, Iran witnessed a significant rise in new arrivals. Although precise figures remain difficult to verify, it is estimated that more than two million Afghans entered the country during this period, bringing the total Afghan population in Iran to over six million.

This long-standing presence has coincided with numerous challenges for the host country, including the impacts of war, international sanctions, and increasing pressure on natural resources.

In March 2025, the Government of Iran announced the Foreign Nationals Regulation Plan, under which all undocumented Afghans, as well as more than two million individuals with Census cards; would be subject to deportation by March 2026. The plan also established a ceiling of three million Afghans who may remain in Iran in the coming years. Those deported will only be permitted to return through designated legal channels established by the government.

Even with this revised figure of three million, Iran would continue to rank among the world’s largest refugee-hosting countries.

ICRI remains committed to advocating for displaced populations in Iran by encouraging all stakeholders, including governments, donor agencies, INGOs, and the private sector to increase their engagement and funding for Afghan-focused programs. Strengthening support for education, health, and livelihood services is essential to ensuring the well-being, protection, and dignity of those who remain in Iran.