Asger Risom
Hundreds Flee Iran Through Azerbaijan and Armenia Amid Air War
More than 600 foreign nationals have escaped Iran through its northern borders, seeking safety after Israel’s surprise air campaign triggered a wave of retaliatory strikes.
As airstrikes rock Iran and regional tensions spike, hundreds of foreign nationals are rushing to flee.
According to an Azerbaijani source with knowledge of the situation, over 600 people from 17 countries have entered Azerbaijan via a “humanitarian corridor” since Israeli strikes began on Friday.
The corridor, located at the Astara crossing, is part of an emergency measure allowing entry into a country that has otherwise kept its land borders closed since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Long waits, fuel shortages
Those fleeing describe harrowing conditions.
A Kyrgyz man told local media he waited eight hours at the border, joining 27 other citizens of his country. “They gave us food and medical help—we’re grateful,” he said.
A U.S. citizen interviewed by Azerbaijani state TV highlighted the chaos inside Iran. “There are long lines at gas stations and a fuel shortage.
Everywhere you go, there are big queues – it’s very frightening. I still can’t believe I managed to cross the border,” he said.
India, meanwhile, evacuated 110 nationals via Armenia, according to Armenpress.
Baku steps up
Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry confirmed that over 1,200 citizens from 51 countries have requested permission to cross from Iran.
Though exact numbers were withheld, local officials say the first wave of arrivals includes people from the U.S., Russia, Germany, China, UAE, and several Central Asian nations.
Once inside Azerbaijan, evacuees are being bused to the capital, Baku, for flights home.
The Kremlin expressed gratitude to Baku for its help.
“Our Azerbaijani friends are providing all the most favourable conditions, for which we are very grateful to them,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, as reported by Reuters.