Border Crossing statuses: Open – Movement permitted in both directions. Partially Open – Movement permitted with restrictions. Closed – No cross-border movement permitted.

Departures from Türkiye involved close to 400,000 Iranian nationals returning to Iran between 3 March and 18 June, while more than 462,000 Iranians arrived in Türkiye during the same period. Recent figures indicate a slight increase in arrivals, on some days reaching pre-conflict levels, suggesting movement dynamics remain fluid and subject to rapid change. These arrival figures do not necessarily indicate permanent departures, as available data do not fully allow differentiation between those who remained and those who later returned to Iran. For many Iranian nationals entering under the 90-day visa-free within the short-term stay regime, these movements may reflect routine activities, such as tourism, transit to catch flights, or family visits, or represent precautionary and temporary travel as individuals assess the ongoing situation in Iran.

During the period 28 February-15 April 2026, Armenian authorities recorded approximately 18,300 entries into Armenia and 17,500 exits from Armenia of Iranian nationals through the Agarak border crossing point. UNHCR estimates some 72,400 Iranians have crossed to Armenia while 69,700 have crossed from Armenia into Iran between 28 February – 16 July, based on triangulation of information. Available figures suggest continued regular two-way cross-border movements, without indication of a significant surge in arrivals.

In Azerbaijan, land border crossing remain closed due to public health restrictions except for commercial traffic; Limited movements may be permitted in specific cases, including evacuations of third-country nationals.

As of 16 July, in Pakistan, as per IOM-UNHCR border monitoring, some 21,000 Iranians have crossed since 1 March mainly through the Taftan border point. These movements are mainly related to cross-border routine business or family visits. UNHCR continues to monitor the situation.

Large-scale population movements between Iraq and Iran linked to the current conflict have not been observed. Iranian nationals are able to enter Iraq under existing visa procedures, and the population movement taking place remains consistent with routine activities, such as commercial trade or accessing reliable telecommunications services, rather than indicative of any refugee movements. Overall border conditions remain fluid.

Returnees’ includes people returning under adverse circumstances due to the situation in countries of asylum; for Syrians, return dynamics vary and some returns may be temporary (including households where some family members remain in Lebanon). Afghan returns is an umbrella term that includes all returns including deportations, assisted repatriation, and other returns of Afghans of all statuses such as PoR, ACC, Amayesh cardholders, headcounted slip holders and undocumented, excluding passport holders. Afghan return figures are preliminary and expected to fluctuate upon validation on a weekly basis.

Syrians crossing the border include those who had planned to return before the conflict and others compelled to cross due to current conditions. 155,234 reported intending to return permanently.

In Iran, as of 7 July, with public order remaining largely stable, all temporarily relocated people have since returned.

Renewed hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan have resulted in new internally displaced persons in both countries, reflecting the humanitarian fallout of the escalating conflict. This rise in internal displacement stems from intensified crossborder air strikes and military operations that have been ongoing since late February 2026. In Pakistan, IDPs moved to safer areas, where the district administration has established two IDP centers, one in Drosh and another in Akroye. 57% are children, and 28% are women. All IDPs accommodated in these centres have since returned to their places of habitual residence.

Refer to Middle-east Situation: Data Explanatory Note for more information about data related to the situation

Escalating hostilities across Asia and the Middle East have led to a marked deterioration in the humanitarian situation. The affected areas already host over 31 million forcibly displaced people and recent returnees across the wider Middle East region before 28 February 2026 (including Palestine refugees under UNRWA’s mandate), many of whom face significant protection risks and have substantial humanitarian needs, alongside host communities. With limited funding, many countries are struggling to meet existing needs, making it increasingly difficult to absorb additional pressures and support newly displaced populations. Protection needs are rising, alongside heightened risk of internal displacement, new cross-border outflows, and onward movements towards neighbouring countries. There is also a risk of increased returns of Afghans from neighbouring countries under adverse conditions.

An inter-agency emergency response has been launched to address urgent needs across the region. In Iran, the Flash Refugee Response Plan targets 1.65 million Afghan and Iraqi refugees and others in need of international protection, alongside 1 million host community members and 150,000 Afghans of other status. In Lebanon, a USD 308.3 million Flash Appeal aims to support 1 million people with lifesaving assistance and protection.

See Other Resources below for further information in country and regional Operational Data Portal.

UNHCR is leading cross-regional preparedness and response coordination for potential cross-border refugee movements, working with authorities, UN agencies and humanitarian partners. The Regional Bureaux for Asia and the Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa, and Europe are working closely with country operations to monitor developments and advance preparedness and response planning.

Should a response be required, emergency financial aid would be the primary assistance modality, supported by systems already in place in Afghanistan, Armenia, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, and Türkiye and through our global stockpiles and UNHCR’s mechanism to reinforce staffing capacity.

• Lebanon Operational Data Portal
• Iraq Operational Data Portal
• Syria Operational Data Portal
• Iran Operational Data Portal
• Afghanistan Operational Data Portal
• Pakistan Operational Data Portal
• Central Asia Operational Data Portal
• Afghanistan Situation Operational Data Portal