INTERNATIONAL — June 15, 2026
Iran Transfers 162 Afghan Prisoners to Taliban
Most of the prisoners were convicted on drug-related charges and will complete their sentences in Afghan prisons. The move forms part of the eleventh phase in which amnesties reduced the eligible total from 1,206 to 735 transferred across three stages.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Amu TV — corroborated by Afghanistan International — 2 min read
Iranian authorities have transferred another group of Afghan prisoners from prisons in Iran to Afghanistan. The group consisted of 162 individuals who were moved pursuant to a bilateral agreement on prisoner transfers.
The majority of these prisoners had been convicted on charges related to drugs. They are now to serve the rest of their sentences in prisons located in Afghanistan under the control of Taliban authorities.
This transfer is the latest development in the eleventh phase of the prisoner exchange process. A total of 1,206 prisoners were identified as eligible during this phase. However, amnesties led to a reduction in that number, with 735 prisoners ultimately transferred in three separate stages.
Reports also noted that an announcement referenced a figure of 165 in connection with the transfer. This reportedly included the transfer of an Iranian female prisoner back to Iran as part of the reciprocal arrangement.
The cumulative effect of these transfers since 2021 has brought the total number of Afghan prisoners returned from Iran to approximately 2,000.
Read the original reporting at Amu TV →
Reliability assessment
Two independent sources corroborate the core event of the prisoner transfer with direct on-record attribution to named Iranian official Askar Jalalian; minor numerical variations in related announcements do not undermine the corroborated transfer of 162 prisoners
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Afghanistan International: "in the face of mistreatment" and "concerns" – these phrases introduce human rights risk as a counterpoint to the official transfer narrative, implying potential harm by the Taliban without direct evidence in this case.
Independent web corroboration
An independent web search turned up no separate corroborating reports. Treat the account as single-sourced until more outlets pick it up.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- 162 Afghan prisoners transferred from Iran to Taliban authorities
- Prisoners mostly convicted of drug crimes and to serve remaining sentences in Afghanistan
- Transfer occurred under bilateral prisoner transfer agreement
- Part of eleventh phase with 1,206 eligible and 735 transferred after multiple amnesties
Where reports differ
- Source 1 references a Taliban embassy announcement of 165 prisoners (including one Iranian transfer) while the main report focuses on 162; Source 2 reports only the 162 figure without the 165 or Iranian prisoner detail
Filed by 2 outlets
Amu TV
Originating
Reported straight
Reported straight
Afghanistan International
Framed
Framed
Filed under
International — Afghanistan, Iran, Taliban, Prisoner Transfer, Drug Crimes
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