Iran’s diplomatic mission in Kabul calls for expanded border services for Afghan migrants

Iran’s diplomatic mission in Kabul has called for strengthened border services and infrastructure to support Afghan migrants amid mass deportations and growing pressure on transit routes.

According to an official statement released Saturday, Hassan Bigdeli, the head of Iran’s diplomatic mission in Kabul, and Seyed Ali Marhamati, Iran’s consul general in Herat, met with senior officials in Iran’s Khorasan Razavi Province to discuss improvements at the Dogharoun–Islam Qala border crossing.

The meeting, held with the provincial governor, the director general of migrant affairs, and the governor of Taybad County, focused on the strategic significance of the Dogharoun–Islam Qala crossing — a critical gateway for trade and migration between the two countries.

Iranian officials emphasized the need to facilitate the legal movement of Afghan nationals and expand transit capacity at the crossing, particularly given the increasing number of returns and deportations from Iran. They argued that enhancing legal border services could help manage migration more effectively, reduce tensions, and bolster economic ties between Iran and Afghanistan.

The Dogharoun–Islam Qala crossing is among the busiest land border points in the region, used daily by thousands of Afghan migrants and traders. Both sides agreed on the need to expand infrastructure and streamline procedures to accommodate rising demand for cross-border services.

This comes as at least 30,000 migrants have returned home daily from Iran over the past few days as Iran has intensified deportations.