The United Nations World Food Programme said that the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran could push 45 million people into acute hunger [1].

This potential crisis threatens to destabilize the region by creating a humanitarian catastrophe among the most fragile and impoverished populations. The scale of the projected food insecurity suggests that existing social safety nets are insufficient to handle the economic shocks of the conflict.

According to the WFP, the conflict has driven up fuel costs and caused significant funding cuts [1]. These factors have worsened food insecurity across poor regions of the country. The agency said that the intersection of rising energy prices and reduced international aid creates a compounding effect on food accessibility.

Reports published in June 2024 highlight the precarious nature of the food supply chain in Iran [1]. The increase in fuel prices directly impacts the cost of transporting agricultural goods and the production of staples. This economic pressure is felt most acutely by those already living in poverty.

Funding cuts further limit the ability of international organizations to provide emergency relief. Without a surge in humanitarian assistance, the WFP said the risk of acute hunger will continue to grow as the war persists [1]. The agency said that the current trajectory puts millions of lives at risk due to the lack of basic nutritional requirements.

While the conflict involves geopolitical and military strategies, the immediate result for the civilian population is a sharp decline in food security. The WFP continues to monitor the situation as fuel prices fluctuate and funding gaps widen [1].

“The conflict could push up to 45 million people in Iran into acute hunger.”

The WFP's warning underscores how modern warfare extends beyond the battlefield to trigger systemic economic collapse. By driving up fuel costs and severing funding pipelines, the conflict transforms a political struggle into a public health crisis, potentially creating a dependent population of millions who require long-term international aid to survive.