United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (Iran)

UNHCR in Iran

The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to host one of the largest and most protracted refugee populations in the world, the majority of whom are Afghan refugees. According to the government estimates, 951,142 Afghan and 28,268 Iraqi refugees reside in Iran.

UNHCR opened its first office in Iran in 1984 and expanded its presence in response to the influx of Iraqi refugees arising from the Gulf War in 1991, and the start of Afghans’ mass return movement to Afghanistan in 1992. During these times of high influx, the refugee population in Iran had reached as high as nearly 5 million.

Since its establishment, UNHCR has maintained an uninterrupted field presence countrywide in coordination and cooperation with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran.