A total of 31 individuals, including 30 citizens of Azerbaijan and one Italian national, were successfully evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan between 8:00 AM on February 28 and 10:00 AM on March 1. The evacuation was carried out across the land border following increased regional instability.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that the safe passage of these individuals was ensured in coordination with relevant state authorities. This operation follows a formal advisory from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan, which urged citizens to avoid traveling to Iran due to the deteriorating security situation. Those currently in Iran have been advised to leave the country via the borders with Azerbaijan or Türkiye, depending on their specific location.
The evacuation comes in response to a significant escalation in the Middle East. On February 28, US President Donald Trump and Israeli forces initiated military operations against targets in Iran, conducting airstrikes across several cities. In retaliation, Iran launched missile strikes toward Israeli territory and reportedly targeted fourteen US military bases located in Persian Gulf countries. Due to the volatile security environment, several nations in the region have temporarily closed their airspace.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan continues to monitor the situation closely to ensure the safety of its nationals abroad. Azerbaijan maintains a policy of prioritizing the protection of its citizens in conflict zones, often coordinating multi-agency efforts to facilitate rapid repatriations during international crises. This latest evacuation reflects the government's commitment to national security and the well-being of Azerbaijanis living or traveling in neighboring states during periods of heightened geopolitical risk.
