Almost 2,000 people have been evacuated from Iran via Azerbaijan since conflict erupted in the Middle East.

Diplomatic staff and foreign nationals are among those who have crossed the border, as well as Azerbaijani citizens, officials said.

The largest group of evacuees are Chinese nationals, with 541 citizens crossing into Azerbaijan via the Astara border checkpoint since 28 February. They are followed by 290 Russian citizens, 173 from Tajikistan and 123 from Pakistan.

Citizens of more than 60 countries have entered Azerbaijan through the crossing since the beginning of the conflict in Iran and the wider Middle East.

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Diplomatic missions are also using the checkpoint. Most recently, Hungary’s ambassador to Iran and eight embassy staff members were evacuated through the crossing. Russian diplomatic staff have also left Iran via the border checkpoint.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan’s Cabinet of Ministers announced that cargo transportation across the Azerbaijan–Iran border will resume on Monday (9 March).

Earlier, under Decision No. 66 adopted on 5 March, the Cabinet of Ministers temporarily halted the movement of cargo vehicles across the Azerbaijan–Iran border.

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