The bodies of a young Afghan couple were discovered in the basement of a shop in Qiamdasht, a suburb of Tehran, on the night of August 3, according to Iranian media reports.

Local authorities confirmed that the couple was found under unclear circumstances, and that preliminary police investigations have not yet determined the cause of death. The shop owner has been taken into custody for questioning in connection with the case.

The couple's identities have not been publicly released, and authorities have not provided further details about the nature of their relationship to the property or the events leading up to their deaths.

The discovery has raised new concerns amid an increase in reported violence and deaths involving Afghan migrants in Iran. Rights groups have pointed to a noticeable uptick in such incidents following recent tensions between Iran and Israel, and the acceleration of deportations targeting Afghan nationals.

Iran hosts one of the largest populations of Afghan refugees in the region. However, in recent months, there has been a surge in reported mistreatment, arbitrary detentions, and fatalities involving Afghan migrants, many of whom lack legal documentation or protection.

The deaths of the young couple have added to growing calls from human rights organizations and Afghan diaspora advocates for greater accountability and independent investigations into migrant-related abuses in Iran. Observers warn that without oversight and safeguards, the situation for Afghan refugees in the country is likely to deteriorate further.

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