Up to 3.2 million people may have been temporarily displaced within Iran as the conflict intensifies, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said.
Preliminary assessments suggest that between 600,000 and one million Iranian households have been forced to leave their homes because of ongoing hostilities, the agency reported on Thursday.
Most of the displaced are believed to be fleeing the capital, Tehran, and other major urban centres. Many families have moved toward northern provinces and rural areas in search of safety as fears grow over further escalation.
“The figure is likely to continue rising as hostilities persist, marking a worrying escalation in humanitarian needs,” said Ayaki Ito, UNHCR’s director of emergency and programme support and cross-regional refugee response coordinator for the Middle East emergency.
She warned that the growing displacement crisis could place additional pressure on already strained humanitarian resources across the country.
Refugees inside Iran face growing risks
The crisis is also affecting refugees already living in Iran, particularly Afghans, who represent the country’s largest refugee population.
According to UNHCR, many Afghan families are now facing heightened risks as the conflict disrupts access to work, shelter and essential services.
“These families are especially vulnerable given their already precarious situation and limited support networks,” Ito said.
UNHCR added that it is adjusting its operations in Iran and coordinating closely with national authorities and humanitarian partners to assess urgent needs and prepare for further population movements.
The agency also called on all parties involved in the conflict to protect civilians and ensure unhindered humanitarian access. It further urged neighbouring countries to keep their borders open to people seeking safety, in line with international obligations.
