Refugee Congress calls for accountability as displacement rapidly increases in Iran and across the Middle East

Despite ongoing negotiations to end the war in Iran, there continues to be significant displacement and increased humanitarian crises developing across the Middle East. Refugee Congress strongly condemns the ongoing violence that is forcing more communities to be displaced, and calls for accountability from U.S. and global leaders to quickly respond to the growing refugee crisis in the region.

According to UNHCR, nearly 3.2 million people have been displaced within Iran. More than 1 million people have been displaced in Lebanon. Both countries also host significant populations of refugees who will now experience forced displacement for a second time, including Afghan refugees in Iran, and Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

The rise in displacement is being met with restrictions on resettlement in countries like the United States, where the Trump administration continues to impose strong restrictions and suspensions on refugee resettlement. Since January 2025, a record low number of refugees were admitted to the U.S. – a majority of which came from South Africa. Resettlement remains low in 2026 as the administration set a cap of 7,500 admissions for this fiscal year. Additionally, ongoing immigration enforcement– including violent tactics and policies threatening to detain, re-interview, and deport recently resettled refugees– are stoking fear in communities across the country.

Violent conflict and war continue to be the greatest drivers of displacement. Today, forced displacement is at a record high, with more than 120 million people forced to flee their homes. It’s a reality that is neither humane nor sustainable. The United States and all nations involved must not only end the violence, but also take steps to protect and support the people being displaced in its wake.