UN Says 3.2 Million People in Iran Displaced by Escalating Conflict

JAKARTA - The United Nations (UN) refugee agency said on Thursday that up to 3.2 million people may have fled temporarily in Iran due to the escalation of the conflict, as Israel and the United States escalated with Iran.

Initial assessments indicate that between 600,000 and 1 million Iranian households have been forced to leave their homes due to the ongoing hostilities, according to the UNHCR.

Most of the refugees are believed to have fled Tehran and other major cities, heading for northern provinces and rural areas in search of safety.

"This figure is likely to continue to increase as hostilities continue, marking an alarming increase in humanitarian needs," said Ayaki Ito, director of UNHCR's emergency support and programs and cross-regional refugee response coordinator for the Middle East emergency, Anadolu (13/3) reported.

This crisis also affects refugees already living in Iran, especially Afghans, who are the largest refugee population in the country.

It said these families are particularly "vulnerable given their already precarious situation and limited support networks."

UNHCR said it was adjusting its operations in Iran, working with national authorities and humanitarian partners to assess needs and prepare for further population movements.

The agency also urged all parties to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access, while calling on countries to remain open to those seeking protection in accordance with international obligations.

It is known that tensions have increased in the Middle East, following the attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran on February 28, which Tehran said killed more than 1,300 people, including Ali Khamenei, the former supreme leader, and more than 150 students.

Since then, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states hosting US military assets.

Tehran has also effectively tightened the Strait of Hormuz since March 1. This narrow waterway transports around 20 million barrels of oil per day and about 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas trade.