UNHCR IRAN

UNHCR first opened an office in Iran in 1984 to assist the influx of 3 million Afghans refugees fleeing the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and continued its operations to address the needs of thousands of Iraqis fleeing the Iran-Iraq war (1980-1988). In the 1990s, UNHCR further expanded its presence to support Iraqis fleeing into Iran as a result of the Persian Gulf War and to meet the needs of Afghan refugees at the start of large-scale voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan. Over the years, several waves of violence in Afghanistan have propelled Afghans to flee to Iran. It is now one of the largest protracted refugee situations in the world.

As of January 2026, the UNHCR Iran operation maintains one Country Office that covers the AoR of ex Field Office Tehran, three Sub Offices in Mashhad, Kerman, and Shiraz and two Field Units in Esfahan and Dogharoun. Thus, the whole country is covered. UNHCR’s activities in each area are implemented by its respective Field or Sub Offices, while the Country Office in Tehran provides overall guidance, support and oversight on protection and programming issues. With regards to Sistan and Baluchistan, it should be noted that the government policy clearly states that it is a “No Go” area for foreigners, which guides UNHCR’s approach in the province. However, UNHCR has been progressively expanding its activities and enhancing the protection response in this province, by providing legal assistance through the presence of a UNHCR-hired lawyer and a Dispute Settlement Committee, benefiting forcibly displaced Afghans in the area and by providing medical supplies and supporting secondary health care access to vulnerable refugees through the insurance fee coverage.