GENEVA

Up to 3.2 million people may have been temporarily displaced within Iran as the conflict intensifies, the UN refugee agency said Thursday.

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

Most of those displaced are believed to be fleeing Tehran and other major cities, heading toward northern provinces and rural areas in search of safety.

"The figure is likely to continue rising as hostilities persist, marking a worrying escalation in humanitarian needs," said Ayaki Ito, UNHCR’s director of emergency and program support and cross-regional refugee response coordinator for the Middle East emergency.

The crisis is also affecting refugees already living in Iran, particularly Afghans, who make up the country’s largest refugee population.

These families are especially "vulnerable given their already precarious situation and limited support networks," Ito said.

UNHCR said it is 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 keep borders open for those seeking safety in line with international obligations.