The United Nations has said that thousands of Afghans are leaving Iran because of the war with Israel and heading home, even as their own country grapples with a humanitarian crisis, AFP reports.

Because of new immigration policies in Pakistan and Iran regarding Afghans, more than 600,000 Afghans have returned home from these two countries so far this year, the head of the UN mission in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, told the UN Security Council.

“Given the concerning developments in the region, the UN agencies are preparing for potential cross-border movement from Iran. Returns from Iran alone in the past few days have been over 10,000 per day,” she said.

Communities and the authorities in Afghanistan are trying to absorb returnees, “but without international assistance, there are limits to safe, orderly and peaceful returns”, the official added.