More than 500000 Afghan migrants have exited Iran through the Dogharoun border crossing in recent weeks, according to Hossein Jamshidi, governor of Taybad, a town near the Afghan border.

Jamshidi reported that approximately 38000 Afghans are leaving the country daily through Dogharoun, with the number expected to rise further as Iran’s 6 July deadline for undocumented migrants approaches.

“Our assessments indicate that among those who have left via Dogharoun, only 20 percent held valid passports or legal documents,” Jamshidi said. “The remaining 80 percent were residing in Iran without authorisation.”

The Iranian government has intensified deportation measures in recent months, drawing concern from rights groups and Afghan civil society organisations. Many Afghan migrants cite deteriorating conditions under Taliban rule as the reason for seeking refuge in Iran.