Afghans flee collapsing Iranian economy amid US conflict, returning to strict Taliban rule

Thousands of Afghans are returning home from Iran, fleeing a severe economic crisis in Iran exacerbated by the conflict with the US and Israel. Many, like Mohammad Saeed's family, lost over two-thirds of their savings due to the plummeting Iranian currency. The economic collapse has led to widespread unemployment and surging inflation, with consumer prices up nearly 90% year-on-year, making essentials unaffordable. While forced deportations have long been a factor, the current wave increasingly includes women and entire families, who are choosing to return to Afghanistan despite the Taliban's strict restrictions on women's education, travel, and employment. As Abdul Ghani Qazizadeh, a senior Taliban official, stated, "The wages they earn are no longer enough to cover their basic living expenses."