UNHCR Iran | From Macroeconomic Distress to Protection Risks: Economic Impacts of the 2026 Military Escalation on Afghans in Iran

Countries: Iran (Islamic Republic of), Afghanistan Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees Please refer to the attached file. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The 2026 military escalation in the Islamic Republic of Iran has intensified macroeconomic distress that can translate into serious protection risks for Afghan refugees and other Afghans in the country. The concern is not only direct exposure to hostilities but also how economic pressures can cascade through everyday life: rising prices, jobs, reduced