(MENAFN) In just over a month, close to half a million Afghans have made their way back from Iran, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which relayed this information to a news agency on Monday.

This wave of returns comes as Tehran enforces a final deadline for undocumented Afghan citizens to exit the country.

From June 1 to July 5, a total of 449,218 Afghan nationals crossed back into Afghanistan from Iran, reported Zuhal Nabi, a communications associate for the IOM based in Kabul.

Nabi noted that of this total, "approximately 50% returned spontaneously, while the remaining 50% were pushed back."

This division highlights the dual nature of the returns—some left voluntarily, while others were compelled to return.

The sharp increase in departures follows a directive issued by Iranian officials, requiring all undocumented Afghans—estimated at around 4 million—to vacate Iran by July 6 or face "forced deportation."

This large-scale movement has sparked alarm regarding the humanitarian consequences for the returnees.

Many of them confront significant uncertainty and adversity upon reentering Afghanistan.

The sudden influx of such a vast number of individuals is putting additional pressure on Afghanistan, where humanitarian demands are already severe and the economic landscape remains fragile.

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