Sami, a 28-year-old Afghan who has adopted a pseudonym, arrived in Iran with his parents over 20 years ago. Like many others, his family left their country in search of stable work and a quieter life for their children, as Afghanistan has been plagued by war and political instability since 1979. Recently, Sami and other Afghan refugees in Iran, interviewed by Le Monde, have noticed a rise in anti-Afghan sentiment within Iranian society, coupled with a hardening of government policies against them.

"I've asked my three children to go out only rarely because our neighbors constantly look down on us and make it clear that we're not welcome," he explained. His 8-year-old daughter has still not been able to enroll in school, as the start of the new school year approaches. "Last year, I was able to enroll her without any issues, but this year, the officials are demanding proof that we have 100 million tomans [almost €1,500], which is impossible for me," explained Sami, who earns only €150 a month.

Already, the life of the carpenter, like that of many Afghans living in Iran – between four and six million according to estimates, in a country of almost 80 million – has not been easy. By law, they are not allowed to open a bank account, own a car or buy property. Afghans are restricted to certain jobs, often menial and determined by the Iranian authorities. Their presence is banned in certain provinces, and they are often barred from entering parks and gardens, especially on Iranian holidays.

Since spring, an anti-Afghan wave has appeared on social media. Videos have been published showing Afghan refugees wearing shalwar kameez (a traditional loose-fitting outfit), in a park on the outskirts of Tehran, or sitting in the capital's subway. These images shocked some Iranians who look down on Afghans and resent their presence in the country, especially if these refugees dare have fun in public. An online campaign was launched with the slogan: "The deportation of Afghans, a national request."

Since this summer, on the Karzar.net website, where Iranians launch all kinds of petitions, at least 20 have called for the expulsion of Afghan refugees to their neighboring country. Some of these petitions have gathered hundreds of thousands of signatures. Messages on various networks accuse Afghans of being responsible for rape, murder and robbery, without providing any evidence.

Following the death of former president Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash on May 19, and as Iran urgently organized an election to choose his successor, the rejection of the Afghan presence in Iran became a feature of the election campaign. "Illegal refugees are the ones who cause [us] the most social harm. We should build a wall along our eastern borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan to ensure security," said one of the candidates, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, in a televised debate on June 20.

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