Iranian Ambassador’s Media Assistant: The Area Where Afghan Migrants Were Allegedly Targeted is a Security Zone (Report by Ahmad Sohail Parto)

Iranian Ambassador’s Media Assistant: The Area Where Afghan Migrants Were Allegedly Targeted is a Security Zone (Report by Ahmad Sohail Parto)

Meysam Mahdipour, Media Assistant to the Iranian President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, has denied the shooting of Afghan migrants by Iranian border forces.

He stated that the area where Afghan migrants were reportedly shot is a “security zone,” and migrants should not be present in this area.

On Thursday, during a program on the social media platform X, Mahdipour rejected the claims of shooting at migrants, saying that “the enemy is attempting to mislead public opinion by spreading news of shootings at migrants.”

According to reports, Iranian border forces in the Kholgan-Saravan area, in the Sistan and Baluchistan province on the border with Pakistan, opened fire on a group of migrants.

Regarding this area, the Iranian official said, “For years, separatist groups have used this region as a corridor to massacre civilians.”

“Taliban Must Answer”

Mahdipour emphasized that unauthorized movements should not occur in this area, and both Afghanistan and Pakistan must be held accountable.

He further stated that the Taliban should answer for the migration of Afghans to Iran, adding, “The Taliban’s policies against women and restrictions on citizens have led to migration.”

He continued, “The Islamic Republic is not responsible for migrants. The Taliban must answer.”

The Iranian official also criticized former Afghan government officials for issuing statements regarding the killing of migrants.

He said that improving the economy, ensuring security, and establishing legitimate governance in Afghanistan would prevent migration. According to him, “People in Afghanistan must feel that they can live there.”

He added that the people of Afghanistan suffer from unemployment.

Report by Ahmad Sohail Parto