Kabul: Human rights groups have voiced severe concern over the increasing number of Afghan migrants being executed in Iran, claiming that the executions reflect growing injustice and a lack of fair trials, according to Khaama Press.
According to Iranian human rights organisations, at least 85 convicts have been murdered in Iranian jails in the month after the IsraelIran ceasefire. According to the Hengaw Human Rights Organisation, six of the victims were Afghan nationals, but their identities and accusations were not revealed.
The remaining consisted of 15 Lur captives, 12 Turks, 12 Kurds, and six Baluch. Six individuals were also executed on accusations of spying for Israel, although it is unknown if any of them were Afghan citizens.
According to Hengaw and other human rights groups, executions of Afghan nationals in Iran have increased dramatically in recent years. According to Khaama Press, at least 40 Afghan people were executed in the first six months of 2025, and 73 were executed in 2024.
International human rights organizations have condemned Iran's extensive use of the death penalty, including against Afghan immigrants. According to Khaama Press, they characterize Tehran as one of the world's top implementers of the death sentence.
While many of these killings are said to be related to drug trafficking or political issues, human rights organizations continue to voice worries about unclear judicial procedures. According to Khaama Press, trial procedures frequently lack openness and essential legal protections, creating major worries about due process for vulnerable people, including Afghan refugees.
Amid these worries, Iran's Foreign Ministry stated that President Masoud Pezeshkian's recent statement about visiting Kabul was a personal gesture rather than an official diplomatic agenda, according to Khaama Press.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told a press conference in Tehran on Monday that there are no official intentions for President Masoud Pezeshkian to travel Afghanistan at this time. He emphasized that the president's recent remark indicating interest to visit Kabul was a personal expression of friendliness rather than a component of any planned trip.
According to Khaama Press, the explanation follows remarks made by Pezeshkian to Foreign Ministry authorities on Sunday, in which he expressed willingness to travel to Kabul to begin a new chapter in bilateral relations.
The Iranian embassy in Kabul also posted Pezeshkian's remark on its official X (previously Twitter) account, fueling suspicion that Tehran might be contemplating a move toward official relations with the Taliban-led administration.
According to Khaama Press, Baghaei addressed these rumors, saying that Tehran had yet to make a conclusion on the issue of recognizing the Taliban administration. He also stated that Iran appreciates Russia's decision to recognize the Taliban administration, but emphasized that Iran has not taken a similar move as of yet.
Diplomatic analysts quoted by Khaama Press see the clarification as an indication of Iran's cautious approach in balancing possible outreach to Afghanistan with regional sensitivities and wider international expectations.
Analysts observed that any future trip by Pezeshkian, if properly planned, would have considerable diplomatic value, affecting Afghanistan's position and Iran's strategic stance in the region.
