Over 600,000 Afghan Refugees Return Amid Iranian Economic Collapse

The Government of Afghanistan reported that 617,244 refugees returned to the country from Pakistan and Iran between March 21 and September 9, 2026. Deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat stated that 437,854 individuals repatriated from Pakistan and 179,390 returned from Iran. The government provided returnees with food rations, potable water, medical services, and transportation to their home provinces.

A significant portion of the returnees from Iran are fleeing a severe economic collapse. A U.S. naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz and tightening sanctions have halted crude exports, causing consumer prices to surge by 90% and food inflation to reach nearly 130%. Many migrants report that their savings in Iranian rials lost over two-thirds of their value, leaving them nearly empty-handed.

At the Islam Qala border crossing, officials report 20 to 40 families returning voluntarily each day. This wave of repatriation includes an increasing number of women and families who must now navigate the Taliban's restrictive laws on female education, travel, and employment. While some returnees attempt to restart small businesses, many remain unemployed and impoverished in mud-brick housing.