By Xinhua
Kabul : Afghanistan Thursday urged Iran to review its decision to expel Afghan refugees taking shelter there.
“We are hopeful that the Islamic Republic of Iran will review its policy with regard to refugees expulsion, particularly in this harsh winter,” Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmad Baheen said at a press briefing.
“We have very cordial and friendly relations with Iran and hope that our bilateral relations would further expand,” Baheen said.
According to Iranian officials, Tehran has decided to deport more than 1.5 million Afghans living illegally in that country.
Last year, Iran had announced it would expel 20,000 Afghan refugees from its eastern border with Afghanistan but later suspended the move till next spring after talks with Kabul.
More than four million Afghans have returned home since the collapse of Taliban regime in late 2001 while more than three million others mostly in Pakistan and Iran are still waiting for a more conducive atmosphere in their country to return.