Photo: inbusiness.kz
Amid escalating violence in the Middle East, Turkmenistan has taken on a humanitarian role, facilitating the evacuation of foreign nationals from Iran. According to the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approximately 120 citizens from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Romania, and other nations have crossed the Iran–Turkmenistan border in recent days.
“In light of the current situation in the Middle East, Turkmenistan has taken immediate measures to provide its territory for the departure of foreign diplomats, their families, and other nationals currently located in Iran. Around 120 individuals crossed the state border through official checkpoints. Transport, food, accommodation, and essential supplies were provided to the evacuees,” the ministry stated.
It remains unclear whether the evacuees entered Turkmenistan with or without visas.
UAE Ambassador to Turkmenistan Ahmed Al-Hai Hamad Khamis Al-Hameli expressed gratitude for the country’s “noble cooperation and humanitarian assistance” after several UAE airline flights were suspended at Ashgabat International Airport on June 13—the day Israel launched its military operation in Iran.
On that same day, Turkmenistan formally expressed concern over the escalating regional crisis, declaring that it “rejects the use or threat of force as a means of resolving political or other issues,” and urged for peaceful solutions based on the UN Charter and internationally recognized norms.
The following day, Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov met with Iranian Ambassador Ali Mojtaba Rouzbehani. Meredov reiterated Turkmenistan’s position against the use of force, while the Iranian envoy shared Tehran’s view of recent events and thanked Ashgabat for its support of the Iranian delegation transiting Turkmenistan on its way home after a regional visit.
On the night of June 13, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Rising Lion, carrying out airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear-related targets. The strikes killed several high-ranking military officers, including the Iranian Chief of General Staff and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as a number of nuclear scientists. In response, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the attacks as criminal and warned that Israel faces “a bitter and dreadful fate.” Iran has since launched Operation Truthful Promise 3, targeting Israeli military infrastructure. As of June 16, cross-border strikes continue.
