Hundreds of foreign nationals have crossed from Iran into Azerbaijan in recent days, seeking safety as the conflict involving U.S. and Israeli military operations intensifies across Iranian territory. The Astara Border Crossing—Azerbaijan’s southern gateway—has become a critical humanitarian corridor as families, diplomats, and expatriates flee bombardments and mounting instability.
Rising Cross-Border Exodus
Traffic at the Astara checkpoint has surged sharply since Azerbaijan announced it would open the crossing to assist its citizens trapped in Iran and allow foreign nationals to transit out of the conflict zone. Estimates indicate that 370–400 people have already reached safety in Azerbaijan since Saturday, including more than 100 Azerbaijani nationals and expats from nearly 20 countries, among them Russia, China, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, France, Italy, and Poland.
Eyewitness accounts describe long queues, heavy luggage, and exhausted families arriving after arduous journeys from Tehran and other affected regions. One Pakistani family, who travelled by road from the capital, recounted the fear and chaos they left behind. “There is so much bombardment in Tehran,” said Sadullah Khan, who crossed with his children. “Two days ago, I left Tehran and headed to Astara, and now I am safe.”
Azerbaijani Forces Provide Humanitarian Support
Azerbaijani soldiers stationed at the border have been assisting evacuees with water, hot tea, food, and medical support. Officials report that while most arrivals are Azerbaijani citizens returning home, at least 50 foreign nationals, including diplomats from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, have used the corridor. Travellers from Tajikistan, Bangladesh, China, Italy, Jordan, and other nations have also crossed.
Authorities have emphasised that foreign nationals must obtain an official evacuation code before departure—an administrative requirement that some evacuees were unaware of, adding to delays amid already heavy traffic. One Turkish national described the journey as “extremely heavy,” noting that a normally six‑hour trip took two days due to panic and congestion on the roads.
Escalating Regional Conflict Drives Urgency
The exodus follows a dramatic escalation in the region after the United States and Israel launched large‑scale strikes on Iranian military facilities on February 28, targeting command centres and missile infrastructure. The attacks resulted in the deaths of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior commanders, prompting Iranian retaliation with missile and drone strikes toward Israeli and U.S. positions across the Gulf.
Azerbaijan has expressed condolences to Iran and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. President Ilham Aliyev conveyed sympathy to the Iranian leadership, while Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov urged dialogue and adherence to international law to prevent further regional destabilisation.
Continued Evacuations and Expanding Humanitarian Needs
Evacuation operations remain ongoing. In one three‑hour window alone, around 30 additional foreign nationals—including Chinese, Pakistani, and Azerbaijani citizens—crossed into Azerbaijan, with emergency medical teams treating at least one individual for health complications.
Local media reports that buses and emergency services are on standby as Azerbaijani authorities prepare for further influxes. No injuries or casualties have been recorded among those crossing into Azerbaijan, and officials say they remain ready to facilitate additional evacuations as the situation in Iran continues to deteriorate.
As the conflict deepens and uncertainty grows, the Astara border has become a lifeline for those fleeing violence—its role is likely to expand in the coming days as international concern mounts over the widening crisis.