UNE states this in a press release on une.no (external website)
UDI will resume processing asylum applications from Iranian nationals. During the period when the duty to leave was suspended, UDI continued to process cases where a grant of protection was clear. However, in most cases, UDI has deferred processing asylum applications from Iran. As of today, UDI has 104 unprocessed asylum applications from Iranian nationals.
Although all cases involving return to Iran can be processed from 25 September, it may take some time before UDI has sufficient information to process the majority of these cases.
In its press release, UNE states that it will resume processing cases involving an assessment of return to Iran. The processing of these cases has been put on hold due to the uncertain situation in the country.
Background to the suspension of returns
UNE and UDI initially suspended the duty to leave for Iran for three months due to the uncertain situation in the country following widespread protests around the turn of the year, the authorities’ response to the protests and the subsequent armed conflict between the United States and Iran.
In April, the suspension of returns was extended for a further five months. During this period, the processing of cases involving an assessment of return to Iran was also put on hold.
Why the suspension of returns is being lifted now
The situation in Iran is no longer as acute and uncertain as it was when UNE and UDI suspended the duty to leave in January this year. There have been reports of a significant reduction in both fighting and the number of people killed, and the population in general is now less exposed to risk as a result of the security situation. UNE and UDI therefore assess that the security situation no longer provides grounds for maintaining the general suspension of returns.
The suspension of the duty to leave has now been in place for almost eight months. People who have a duty to leave for Iran have therefore had time to request a reassessment of their case or apply for a residence permit on another basis.