Since Israel began striking Iran last Friday, more than 600 foreign nationals from 17 countries have fled Iran through Azerbaijan, according to a government official in Baku. The evacuees crossed via the Astara checkpoint and were transported to Baku airport for international repatriation.
Those evacuated include citizens of countries such as Russia, the U.S., Germany, China, and the UAE. Azerbaijan temporarily opened its land border—closed since 2020 due to COVID-19—to facilitate the evacuation. Turkmenistan also allowed transit for around 120 people, mainly from Central Asia.
The mass evacuation comes amid intensifying military conflict between Israel and Iran, which has already claimed over 224 lives in Iran and 24 in Israel, with hundreds more wounded.
