Iranian Embassy in Kabul Seeks Afghan Donations for War Effort, Faces Social Media Criticism

Iran's embassy in Kabul announced on 17 Hamal its readiness to receive financial aid from Afghans following requests to support Iran amid its conflict.

The embassy specified methods for donations, including cash handovers at the embassy, bank deposits, cryptocurrency transfers via the Iranian Red Crescent Society, and direct deposits to designated accounts.

The call drew widespread criticism on social media from Afghan users, who cited Afghanistan's severe economic crisis, the poor treatment and deportation of Afghan migrants from Iran, and historical issues such as Iran's recruitment for the Fatemiyoun Brigade. Sahar Ehsan wrote that Afghans are not fools to donate while living in poverty. Samira Hamidi highlighted Iran's past spending on militias including the Taliban and Hezbollah instead of helping Afghans. Users Zeus, Najib Pikan, and filmmaker Sahraa Karimi also condemned the request, pointing to recent expulsions of Afghan migrants.

Some Iranian users shared similar views. Human rights lawyer Leila Sotoudeh noted the hypocrisy, while a few like Ebrahim Vafadar expressed human sympathy.

Tasnim News Agency published a video showing vehicles of the Fatemiyoun Brigade -- an Afghan Shia migrant unit deployed by Iran in the Syria war -- driving through Tehran streets in a show of solidarity. Afghanistan's previous government had voiced concerns in 1396 over Iran's recruitment of Afghans for the brigade.