UN Confirms Limited Iranian Migration Into Afghanistan During Israel-Iran Conflict

The United Nations has confirmed instances of Iranian citizens crossing into Afghanistan following twelve days of heightened conflict between Israel and Iran.

Arafat Jamal, head of the UNHCR office in Kabul, said on Tuesday that the agency has deployed monitoring teams to Afghanistan’s border crossings and is closely observing the situation.

Speaking just hours before a ceasefire was announced, Jamal noted that while large-scale migration has not yet occurred, the UNHCR is prepared to respond if the flow of Iranians into Afghanistan increases. “If the trend continues, we are ready to support those arriving, in line with our humanitarian mandate,” he said.

Jamal reported that so far, only a few confirmed cases have been recorded, including a small number of Iranian nationals and approximately 30 families with dual Iranian-Afghan citizenship.

He stressed that the current movement does not yet represent a significant migration wave but that the agency remains alert to any developments.

The recent conflict between Iran and Israel, which involved reciprocal missile strikes and air raids, has prompted some residents, particularly from major urban areas in Iran, to flee the country in search of safety.