Around 200 Bangladeshi nationals are set to be repatriated from Iran via Azerbaijan as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East intensifies, prompting growing safety concerns among expatriates.
The decision follows continuous bombardment linked to the US-Israel military campaign, which has forced many Bangladeshis living in Iran to seek evacuation. According to official sources, the returnees are expected to arrive in Dhaka by Friday.
The repatriation process is being coordinated by the Bangladesh mission in Turkey, with senior officials closely overseeing the operation on the ground. Bangladesh Ambassador to Turkey Md Amanul Haque is currently in Azerbaijan to facilitate the evacuation efforts.
“I am currently in Azerbaijan to look after the repatriation process. Hopefully, by Thursday we will be able to repatriate around 200 Bangladeshis,” the ambassador said.
He added that those being evacuated had expressed their willingness to return home amid deteriorating security conditions. Authorities have also indicated that further arrangements will be made if more Bangladeshis opt to leave Iran in the coming days.
Earlier evacuation efforts
This is not the first such evacuation in recent times. In June last year, approximately 90 Bangladeshis were repatriated during a previous round of hostilities between Israel and Iran, which lasted for 12 days.
During that operation, evacuees undertook a difficult journey of nearly 2,000 kilometres by road from Tehran to Karachi in Pakistan before returning to Bangladesh by air.
Officials said the latest evacuation is comparatively more coordinated, with diplomatic missions actively engaged to ensure the safety and timely return of nationals.
Bangladeshis in Iran
It is estimated that around 2,000 Bangladeshi nationals are currently residing in Iran, many of whom are students, professionals and workers.
With the security situation continuing to worsen, authorities remain on alert and are preparing contingency plans to assist additional citizens if required.
