BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 1. The evacuation of both Azerbaijani citizens and citizens of other countries from Iran is ongoing, TurkicWorld reports.
From 08:00 on February 28 to 14:00 on March 1, 53 Azerbaijani citizens were evacuated from Iran.
Safe passage from Iran to Azerbaijan was also ensured for 18 citizens of Saudi Arabia, 5 citizens of Tajikistan, 4 citizens of Jordan, 3 citizens of Qatar, and 1 citizen of Italy.
Following the second round of nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran on February 17, which ended without progress, the U.S. increased its presence in areas near Iran, deploying over 150 aircraft to bases in Europe and the Middle East.
The escalation follows the 3rd round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva on February 26. Held under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, the negotiations were seen as a last opportunity for a diplomatic resolution. However, no agreements were reached, as Tehran refused to halt uranium enrichment, dismantle its nuclear facilities, or accept indefinite restrictions on its nuclear program. Israel launched its airstrikes shortly afterward, with the country's Defense Minister Katz emphasizing that the operations were preemptive.
As a result of the military airstrikes carried out the previous day by Israel and the United States, Iran’s Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei and members of his family were killed.
