China has evacuated over 1,600 citizens from Iran and hundreds from Israel, urging de-escalation amidst the intensifying conflict

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Citizen Repatriation efforts by China are accelerating amidst the intensifying conflict between Iran and Israel.

Also read: Iran warns US as conflict with Israel deepens

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson announced on Thursday that China has evacuated more than 1,600 citizens from Iran and hundreds more from Israel. Evacuees are currently clogging border crossings as tensions escalate.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun informed a regular press conference that evacuation efforts are continuing.

China maintains communication with Iran, Israel, Egypt, and Oman, while calling for immediate measures to cool down tensions as soon as possible. He urged all parties to the conflict, especially Israel, to immediately cease fire.

The conflict shows no signs of de-escalation, nearly a week after Israel launched what it called “pre-emptive strikes” against Iran.

On Thursday, Israel struck a key Iranian nuclear site, and Iranian missiles hit an Israeli hospital, signalling continued hostilities.

The Chinese embassy in Iran renewed calls for its citizens to leave the country via land routes. It also warned people about longer immigration processing times due to congestion at two border checkpoints: Astara, heading into Azerbaijan, and Bajgiran, into Turkmenistan.

These border crossing points are 490 km and 910 km away from Tehran, respectively. The embassy further advised that Chinese people can also leave Iran via Turkey, Armenia, and Iraq.

Earlier on Thursday, China’s embassy in Israel announced plans to begin evacuating people in batches from Friday.

Buses will transport those who wish to leave to the Taba Border Crossing into Egypt, located approximately 360 km from Tel Aviv.