FM: Over 50 states seek Azerbaijan’s help evacuating nationals from Iran

More than 50 countries have asked Azerbaijan to assist in evacuating their citizens from Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said.

According to local media, Bayramov made the remarks during a joint briefing in Baku with Moldova’s Foreign Minister Mihai Popșoi.

He said the ongoing military escalation in the region is creating additional risks, and that from the first days of the crisis, all departments of Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry have switched to an enhanced mode of operation. Evacuations of citizens located in high-risk areas are carried out as soon as possible, he added.

Bayramov noted that Azerbaijan has already received requests related to the evacuation of around 1,000 people from five countries — the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait.

“In addition, on March 4, Azerbaijan’s leading carrier AZAL organised a special evacuation flight from Jeddah, which transported 209 people, 193 of whom were Azerbaijani citizens,” the minister said.

He added that there are still citizens in Qatar who require evacuation, and another special flight from Jeddah is planned for March 7.

The foreign minister also said that Azerbaijani citizens remain on the territory of Iran. In addition, more than 50 countries have asked Baku to assist in evacuating their nationals.

“More than 50 states have sent us requests asking for the evacuation of more than 2,500 of their citizens. These requests are forwarded to the Cabinet of Ministers, and the processes are organised within just a few hours,” Bayramov said.

By Tamilla Hasanova