Global Evacuations Underway as Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates
Governments around the world are racing against time to evacuate their citizens from Israel and Iran as tensions between the two nations erupt into open conflict. The crisis began after Israel launched a series of unprecedented airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, prompting swift retaliation from Tehran. With both countries exchanging heavy missile fire and airspace closures in effect, foreign nationals have been left scrambling for safe passage.
The situation has forced countries to adopt creative and urgent evacuation strategies. With direct flights suspended, many governments are relying on land routes and neighboring countries to extract their citizens. The Czech Republic and Slovakia, for instance, transported evacuees by bus to nearby borders before flying them home. Germany, Poland, and Greece have also coordinated repatriation flights via Jordan and Egypt, while Bulgaria received a private evacuation flight carrying 148 people.
The United States has announced plans to evacuate its citizens by both air and sea. Ambassador Mike Huckabee confirmed that the U.S. embassy is organizing evacuation flights and cruise ship departures for Americans seeking to leave Israel. Meanwhile, China has already evacuated over 1,600 citizens from Iran and several hundred more from Israel, with its foreign ministry pledging continued support for safe transfers.
Australia is also actively evacuating its nationals, with around 1,500 citizens being moved out of Iran and over 1,200 from Israel. However, missile strikes have made it too dangerous for civilian aircraft to land, forcing authorities to use land border crossings. Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that more evacuations are planned in the coming days.
Pakistan has closed its borders with Iran, except for returning citizens. Thousands of Pakistanis, including students and pilgrims, have already crossed back into the country. India has also begun evacuating its nationals, with over 100 students flown out of Iran via Armenia. Japan, Indonesia, and New Zealand are among other nations preparing evacuation plans, using buses and military aircraft where necessary.
As the conflict enters a critical phase, the international community is on high alert. With diplomatic efforts underway to de-escalate tensions, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of foreign nationals caught in the crossfire. The unfolding crisis underscores the fragility of regional stability and the global ripple effects of escalating hostilities