Kazakhstan thanks Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan for support in evacuation from Iran

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry has expressed its gratitude to Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan for their assistance in evacuating Kazakh citizens from Iran amid rising regional tensions.

According to the Ministry’s spokesperson, Aibek Smadiyarov, six Kazakh nationals were evacuated from Iran through Azerbaijani territory over the past two days with the support of Azerbaijani authorities. An additional 68 citizens — primarily family members of Kazakh diplomats — were evacuated with assistance from Turkmenistan, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"We express our gratitude to our Azerbaijani and Turkmen colleagues for their assistance in this issue," Smadiyarov said.

He emphasised that organising such an operation in such tense conditions and within a tight 24-hour window required enormous effort.

Smadiyarov also noted that, as of now, 132 Kazakh citizens remain in Iran, while 219 are in Israel. The ministry is continuing to monitor the volatile situation closely as tensions between Iran and Israel escalate.

To recall, on June 13, Israel launched a large-scale airstrike against Iran, targeting over 100 sites, including key nuclear and missile facilities in Tehran, Natanz, Ahvaz, and East Azerbaijan Province, min one of the most intense confrontations between the two nations in recent years.

Israeli leaders described the strikes as a preemptive move against existential threats from Iran. 

In retaliation, Iran launched a series of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. 

By Sabina Mammadli