Iran war drives Afghan migrants back to Taliban rule

Mohammad Saeed, 18, fled to Iran with his family in 2021 after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan. Now, he and his family are among thousands who have returned home due to Iran's economic crisis sparked by the conflict with the US and Israel. The sharp decline in the Iranian currency has reduced the family's savings by over two-thirds.

While Iran once offered Afghans an escape from poverty and Taliban rule, its economy has collapsed, making returning home the only viable option for many. Despite severe restrictions on women's rights in Afghanistan, returning families, including women and children, are increasingly opting to return to Afghanistan. The economic situation in Iran has worsened, with consumer prices rising by nearly 90% year-on-year, and food inflation soaring by almost 130%.

This has made essential goods unaffordable, leading to a collapse in consumer demand. Many Afghans who returned from Iran reported that their income had fallen by nearly one-third compared to pre-crisis levels. The Taliban government at the border noted that many of these returning Afghans are facing difficulties due to low wages and withheld salaries.