A significant number of foreign diplomats and citizens, including nationals from China, Poland, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, have been evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan through the Astara border crossing. The evacuation process, which is currently ongoing, includes 18 members of the Saudi Arabian diplomatic mission, six staff members from the United Arab Emirates embassy, and four members of the Jordanian diplomatic mission.
Operative Information Center-OMM, citing Report, informs that the Azerbaijani side has established all necessary conditions for the safe passage of these individuals. Recent groups crossing the border include citizens from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Tajikistan, some of whom had originally traveled to Iran for medical treatment but were forced to return due to the escalating security situation. Previously, 30 Azerbaijani citizens and nationals from Italy and Tajikistan were also successfully evacuated through the same route.
The mass evacuation follows the commencement of military operations by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28, which involved air strikes on several Iranian cities. In response, Iran launched missile strikes toward Israel and targeted fourteen US military bases located in the Persian Gulf region. Under the leadership of US President Donald Trump, the regional security landscape has shifted significantly, leading several neighboring countries to temporarily close their airspace. Azerbaijan’s role as a transit point for these evacuations underscores its strategic importance and commitment to humanitarian assistance during regional crises.
