Up to 3.2 million displaced in Iran following Israeli and U.S. Strikes: UNHCR

(Horizon Weekly) – Up to 3.2 million people in Iran have been forced to leave their homes following Israeli and U.S. military strikes on the country, according to estimates by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In a report cited by Interfax, the UN agency said that between 600,000 and one million households have been temporarily displaced inside Iran as a result of the ongoing conflict. The figure corresponds to roughly 3.2 million individuals.

Most of those displaced have fled Tehran and other major urban centers, seeking safety in northern provinces and rural areas across the country.

UNHCR warned that the number of internally displaced people could continue to increase as military operations persist.

The escalation began on February 28, when Israel and the United States carried out airstrikes targeting Iran. During the attacks, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed. In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against Israel and against Gulf countries hosting U.S. military bases, further intensifying the regional confrontation.