Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly pressured the Taliban government in Kabul to hand over a leaked list containing the identities of nearly 25,000 Afghans who worked with the British government during the war in Afghanistan, raising alarm among Western governments and human rights organisations ahead of key nuclear negotiations.
According to a report by The Telegraph published on August 4, Tehran’s request aims to identify former British intelligence assets, including suspected MI6-linked individuals, allegedly to gain leverage in ongoing diplomatic talks related to Iran’s nuclear programme. The move has heightened international concern over the potential misuse of the sensitive data and the risk to Afghan nationals still awaiting relocation or protection.
Quoting a senior Iranian official, The Telegraph reported that a “special committee” has been formed within the IRGC to locate and act on the list. “The top priority is identifying MI6 agents,” the unnamed official was cited as saying. The list reportedly includes names of former Afghan special forces members, intelligence operatives, and interpreters who supported UK military and diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan.
Western officials fear the list, which was mistakenly leaked in February 2022 by a British Royal Marine who emailed an unredacted version to Afghan contacts, is now being used to track down former allies. The error compromised the identities of thousands who had applied for relocation under UK government schemes.
The UK Ministry of Defence, responding to the report, reiterated its commitment to safeguarding Afghan partners. “An independent review concluded that inclusion on the list does not necessarily place individuals at immediate risk, but efforts to support and relocate eligible individuals are ongoing,” a spokesperson said.
The report also claims that one individual whose name appeared on the list was recently detained in Iran and deported to Kabul, in what observers see as possible early evidence of cooperation between the Taliban and the IRGC. Taliban officials in Kandahar have reportedly instructed operatives in Kabul to locate and detain individuals on the list, allegedly to use them as bargaining chips in Tehran’s dealings with Western governments.
The development comes at a critical juncture as the UK, France, and Germany have threatened to trigger the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)’s snapback mechanism restoring UN sanctions should Iran fail to comply with its nuclear obligations by the end of August.
Security analysts believe Tehran may be seeking to extract intelligence from the list to use in its broader negotiations with European powers. If confirmed, the IRGC’s actions would signal a significant escalation in Iran’s regional posture and its growing influence over Taliban authorities in Afghanistan.
Human rights organisations have strongly condemned the reported developments. “This is a matter of life and death for those who served alongside NATO forces,” said a spokesperson for an international refugee advocacy group. “Many are in hiding, and the cooperation between Iran and the Taliban makes their situation even more precarious.”
The case underscores the enduring human toll of the 2021 NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan and renewed calls for Western governments to expedite evacuation and resettlement of remaining Afghan allies who remain at serious risk.
