Evacuation of Russian Nationals from Iran via Azerbaijan

As tensions escalate in the region following military strikes by Israel and the United States, approximately 500 Russian nationals are preparing for evacuation from Iran through Azerbaijan. The Russian embassy in Baku confirmed this development on March 1, 2026, expressing gratitude to the Azerbaijani government for its assistance in facilitating border crossing permits.

The Russian Embassy has compiled lists of people leaving Iran via Azerbaijan.

According to reports, 192 individuals have already been evacuated from Iran to Azerbaijan within a span of 38 hours, which includes 82 Azerbaijani nationals. The evacuation is being coordinated through the Astara checkpoint, where the Russian embassy is actively assisting its citizens. The embassy's Telegram channel highlighted the importance of Azerbaijani cooperation in this process.

The Russian Embassy has compiled lists of people leaving Iran via Azerbaijan.

The urgency of the evacuation stems from recent military actions in the region, including strikes that have raised safety concerns for foreign nationals in Iran. The Russian foreign ministry has advised its citizens to relocate to safer areas within Israel and Iran or to leave these countries entirely. Additionally, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has cautioned its citizens against traveling to Iran and Israel due to the ongoing conflict.

This evacuation is not the first instance of Russian nationals being assisted in leaving Iran through Azerbaijan. A similar operation occurred during the 12-day war in June 2025, indicating a pattern of reliance on Azerbaijan for safe passage in times of regional instability.

The Russian embassy's statement emphasized the collaborative efforts with Azerbaijan, noting, "We would like to express our gratitude to the Azerbaijani side for their assistance, including the prompt consideration of issues related to the issuance of border crossing permits." This cooperation underscores the diplomatic relations between Russia and Azerbaijan amid the current crisis.

While the evacuation efforts are being facilitated, there are concerns regarding the broader implications of military actions in the region. Protests have erupted in Iraq, with demonstrators supporting Iraqi Shi'ite armed groups reacting to the strikes and calling for action against U.S. presence in the region. This reflects a growing dissent against foreign military involvement, which could complicate the evacuation process and regional stability.

There are discrepancies in the reported numbers of individuals evacuated and the total number of Russians seeking to leave Iran. While the Russian embassy cites around 500 individuals on the evacuation list, other sources indicate varying figures. Additionally, the status of border crossings remains uncertain due to ongoing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which could affect future evacuations.

The Russian Embassy has compiled lists of people leaving Iran via Azerbaijan.

As the situation evolves, further evacuations are anticipated, and the Russian embassy continues to monitor the safety of its nationals in Iran. The ongoing military actions and regional tensions will likely influence the pace and scale of these operations in the coming days.