Azerbaijan continues facilitating evacuation of foreign nationals from Iran PHOTO

The staged evacuation of foreign nationals from Iran through Azerbaijani territory is ongoing, with the latest group including citizens of Portugal, the Philippines, Finland, and several other countries. 

These individuals crossed into Azerbaijan through the Astara border checkpoint, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

Following standard customs and border control procedures, the evacuees were transported by bus to Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku, from where they are expected to continue their journeys to their home countries.

The Azerbaijani authorities have ensured that all necessary conditions are in place at the Astara border point, including the provision of medical assistance for those who may require it.

This evacuation follows earlier operations that saw citizens of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia leave Iran via the same route. Among them were Russian oil sector workers and their families, as well as cultural figures. Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova confirmed that all Russian artists, including musicians from the Tchaikovsky Grand Symphony Orchestra, had safely exited Iran.

As of now, eight more people, including family members of representatives of the Kyrgyz diplomatic mission in Iran, are already in Azerbaijan. The evacuation of another 10 people is expected in the near future.

The evacuations come amid rising tensions in the region, prompting several countries to take urgent measures to repatriate their citizens.

To recall, on June 13, Israel launched a large-scale airstrike against Iran, marking 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