TEHRAN, Iran — Iranians have harshly criticized the country’s deputy foreign minister after he threatened to expel Afghan refugees from Iran in retaliation for U.S. sanctions. Others called Araghchi’s remarks “throwing words under pressure” and accused him of using Afghans as “leverage” for receiving concessions. Araghchi said Wednesday that if U.S. sanctions bring Iran crude exports to zero, “it is possible that we ask our Afghan brothers and sisters to leave Iran” because hosting them annually costs the equivalent of several billion dollars. Some 3 million Afghan refugees live in Iran. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: Washington Post May 09, 2019 18:45 UTC