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 more than 169,600 Iranian nationals returning to Iran between 3 March and 3 May, while more than 193,400 Iranians arrived in Türkiye during the same period. This current volume of movement remains notably lower than pre-conflict levels, when crossings from both sides averaged approximately 5,000 individuals per day. 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. 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 23 April, in Pakistan, as per IOM-UNHCR border monitoring, some 7,900 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. 83,374 reported intending to return permanently.

According to the Government of Iran, around 3.2 million people (800k HHs) internally relocated in the country, which has resulted in one of the largest internal relocations in Iran in recent decades. 75% of the relocated people are in Tehran followed by Hormozgan (8%), Bushehr (5%) and Khuzestan (3%) provinces. The relocated people are currently living in temporary accommodation centers such as schools, guesthouses and sports halls. Most Iranian households are temporarily fleeing from Tehran and other major urban centres, towards the north of the country and rural areas to seek safety.

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.

Escalating hostilities across Asia and the Middle East have led to a marked deterioration in the humanitarian situation. The affected areas already host 24.3 million forcibly displaced people, 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