The United Nations’ refugee agency on Friday declared the conflict in West Asia as a major humanitarian emergency, and called for all fleeing civilians to be granted safe passage, AFP reported.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said that the crisis has led large numbers of people to escape their homes.
“UNHCR has declared the escalating crisis in the Middle East as a major humanitarian emergency requiring an immediate response across the region,” Ayaki Ito, the director of emergency and programme support at the agency was quoted as saying by AFP.
The official added that the recent escalation across West Asia have “triggered significant population movements”.
The figures given for the scale of displacement so far are likely an underestimate, Reuters quoted Ito as saying.
“It worries us very much, the numbers of the displaced populations and the lack of adequate water and sanitation,” the official said.
The conflict began on February 28 when Israel and the US launched a joint military operation targeting the Iranian government, triggering a retaliation by Tehran.
The attacks came amid tensions between the three countries over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Washington acts as a guarantor of Israel’s security. Israel has been claiming that Iran is close to obtaining a nuclear weapon, which could alter the regional security balance.
Tehran has long maintained that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes.
The Iranian Red Crescent said on Tuesday that at least 787 persons have been killed in the country since the attack by the United States and Israel began.
Israel has also launched a series of attacks in Lebanon, claiming that it is targeting the infrastructure of Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. The attacks have left 123 persons dead, Al Jazeera quoted Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health as saying on Friday.
Countries have begun mediation efforts: Iran president
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Friday that some countries have begun mediation efforts to end the ongoing conflict, but added they should address “those who ignited this conflict”.
Pezeshkian did not identify the countries or provide further details.
“Let's be clear: we are committed to lasting peace in the region, yet we have no hesitation in defending our nation’s dignity and sovereignty,” he said. “Mediation should address those who underestimated the Iranian people and ignited this conflict.”
Pezeshkian is part of a three-member temporary leadership council responsible for carrying out the supreme leader’s duties during the transition period until a successor is selected under Iran’s constitutional process.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks on February 28. He was a significant figure among Shia Muslims globally, and had controlled all branches of the Iranian government and the armed forces since 1989.
No deal with Iran except ‘unconditional surrender’: Trump
Hours after Pezeshkian’s remarks, US President Donald Trump on Friday said that no deal would be struck with Iran except “unconditional surrender”.
He asserted that the US and its “brave allies and partners will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink of destruction” following the appointment of “great and acceptable” leaders.
“Iran will have a great future,” he said. “Make Iran great again.”
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