As Air Strikes Rocked Tehran, 100,000 Fled in First Two Days of War, UN Says

Around 100,000 people fled Tehran after US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which triggered Iranian retaliatory attacks across the Middle East. Hundreds, including six US personnel, have died, and the conflict remains a multi-front regional crisis with ongoing civilian displacement.

The United Nations has reported that approximately 100,000 people left Tehran in the first two days following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 and March 1. According to a situation report from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), while large numbers of residents fled the capital, there has been no reported increase in cross-border movements linked to the attacks. The situation at the Islam Qala border crossing with Afghanistan remains stable, with authorities observing no significant changes.
The escalation began after a major strike carried out by US and Israeli forces reportedly killed Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader. In response, Tehran launched missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and its positions across the Gulf. The initial strikes by the US, launched on February 28, were conducted without congressional authorization, prompting debate in Washington. The US Senate is scheduled to vote on a measure that could potentially halt the offensive.
Since the initial attacks, the conflict has spread across the Middle East, affecting multiple countries including Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Israel, and areas across the Persian Gulf. Hundreds of people have been reported killed, including six US military personnel. Critics have questioned the justification provided by the Trump administration, which at different times described the strikes as preemptive efforts to weaken Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities, while also framing them as necessary to protect American interests after Israel initiated its own offensive.
Marco Rubio, US Secretary of State, offered a distinct explanation, stating that the White House acted because Israel, a close ally, was determined to take military action against Iran. He emphasized that the United States anticipated Iran would respond, and preemptive action was deemed necessary to mitigate potential retaliation against US forces.
Legal experts and policymakers have raised concerns about the rationale for the strikes. Wells Dixon, a senior attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights, reviewed the administration’s reasoning and said it reflects military objectives rather than a legitimate legal basis to launch an armed attack against another sovereign nation. Senator Tim Kaine acknowledged support for defending Israel during prior Iranian attacks but emphasized that initiating a new US-led war represents a different matter entirely.
The conflict has intensified in Lebanon, where Israel launched airstrikes and a ground invasion targeting Hezbollah, an ally of Iran, resulting in the deaths of many individuals and the displacement of thousands of civilians. Concurrently, Iranian drones and missiles struck US military bases across the Gulf, escalating the conflict into a multi-front regional crisis. Observers warn that the situation shows no signs of a swift resolution, with the potential for further regional destabilization and civilian suffering as hostilities continue to expand.