In a dramatic evacuation effort, over 300 individuals have escaped from Iran through Azerbaijan since Saturday. The two countries share a substantial 689-kilometer (428-mile) border, with Iran housing a significant population of ethnic Azerbaijani people.
Sources close to the Azerbaijani government in Baku confirmed that 312 people had entered Azerbaijan between 8 am local time on February 28 and 10 am on March 2. These evacuees included 101 individuals from Azerbaijan itself, as well as others hailing from 19 different countries such as China, Russia, Pakistan, and the United States.
The evacuation occurred amid intense strikes by the US and Israeli forces against Iran over the weekend. A source in Baku further stated that a Russian embassy official had reported about 500 Russian nationals preparing for an evacuation through the Astara crossing on the Caspian Sea. As of Sunday, 39 Russians had already crossed into Azerbaijan.
Iran’s complex ethnic landscape has also been highlighted; the country is home to a substantial population of ethnic Azerbaijani people. Meanwhile, Russia’s embassy in Baku advised its citizens to relocate to safer areas within Iran or Israel and recommended those still inside to evacuate via Armenia or Azerbaijan.
This evacuation underscores how geopolitical tensions can spur international humanitarian responses, particularly when countries with overlapping borders face internal strife. As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen how this latest chapter will unfold amidst ongoing regional conflicts.