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Hundreds of foreign nationals evacuate from Iran to Azerbaijan amid escalating conflict
Euronews ^ | 02/03/2026 | Nadira Tudor

Posted on 03/03/2026 12:33:15 PM PST by nickcarraway

Estimates suggest that at least 370-400 people have safely sought refuge in Azerbaijan after crossing the Astara border checkpoint. Some 100 of those were Azerbaijani nationals with the rest being expats from 19 different countries.

The Astara Border Crossing between Iran and Azerbaijan has seen increased traffic over the last few days by foreign nations, as many continue to seek an exit from Tehran amid continued US and Israeli attacks.

The increased crossing traffic comes after the Azerbaijani government announced on Saturday that it would open the crossing to enable its nationals trapped in Iran to safely evacuate, as well as allow foreign nations to transit through.

As many as 500 Russian citizens are rumoured to have crossed into Azerbaijan as part of the new initiative, with eyewitnesses reporting seeing large groups passing security checkpoints.

Among those crossing on Monday was a Pakistani family, who had made the long and tough journey from the Iranian capital to Azerbaijan's southernmost city, carrying as much of their belongings as they could gather in suitcases, which they dragged with them the entire way.

“We were living in Iran. So, we came here by road until the border region. From there, crossed the border”, said Rameeza, a young Pakistani girl who travelled with her brother and parents.

"It (the journey) was good. It was good, we came from the bus, to the border, and then, we came here. It was like a blast.”

Exact figures of how many people have crossed since Baku moved to open the crossing is unclear. It is estimated however that at least 370-400 people were safely evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan since Saturday.

Those estimates include over 100 Azerbaijani nationals, with the rest being expats from almost 20 different countries, including ,France, Italy, Poland, Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Sadullah Khan, father of Rameeza, said he was pleased he had made it across the border with his family. “I am so happy that I came here," he told Euronews, recalling the horrors he witnessed in the intense US-Israeli military campaign, carried out by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"There is so much bombardment in Tehran," he said. "Two days ago, I left Tehran and headed to Astara, and now I am safe. So, I am relieved."


TOPICS: China; Foreign Affairs; France; Iran; News/Current Events; Russia
KEYWORDS: astara; azerbaijan; bangladesh; ccp; china; france; india; iran; italy; nadiratudor; nepal; pakistan; poland; russia

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1 posted on 03/03/2026 12:33:15 PM PST by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

“”20 different countries, including ,France, Italy, Poland, Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal.””

Don’t understand why SOME of those would even move to Iran in the first place - exception Russia and China. Wonder what the rest of the countries would be...


2 posted on 03/03/2026 12:47:58 PM PST by Thank You Rush
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To: nickcarraway
the Azerbaijani government announced on Saturday that it would open the crossing to enable its nationals trapped in Iran to safely evacuate,

Bring your money.

3 posted on 03/03/2026 12:48:45 PM PST by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
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To: nickcarraway

Good time to buy stock in Caspian Kabob.


4 posted on 03/03/2026 1:38:50 PM PST by fruser1
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; BraveMan; cardinal4; ...

5 posted on 03/03/2026 4:19:18 PM PST by SunkenCiv (The Demagogic Party is just a collection of violent, rival street gangs.)
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To: nickcarraway
Hundreds of foreign nationals evacuate from Iran to Azerbaijan amid escalating conflict

I hear Azerbaijan is very nice this time of year.

6 posted on 03/03/2026 5:59:13 PM PST by Rummyfan (Ok In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support lthe civilized man.👨 so t tv)
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