Chinese nationals are hastily departing Iran amid ongoing US military strikes targeting key facilities. Families of high-ranking officials have also quietly exited the country, sources confirm.
Government Warnings Spark Mass Exodus
China’s government issued urgent alerts to its citizens following the strikes. Personnel from Beijing-based firms active in Iran, Syria, and neighboring regions have evacuated, driving one-way flight prices up to 3 million yuan (roughly $420,000).
Evacuees cross western Iranian borders before flying out from Damascus, Syria. Officials state this protects oil workers and others navigating US and Israeli aerial threats in trade tensions.
Beyond Strikes: Rising Fears of Harassment
Risks extend past bombings. Chinese nationals worry about potential assaults amid the unrest. Authorities used internet controls and security directives to guide citizens home, though some claim Iranian forces exploited these to detain people.
Online reactions highlight betrayal: “Chinese feel stabbed in the back by the Iranian regime.”
Official Response and Casualties
Last month on the 27th, China ordered evacuations as the situation deteriorated. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson noted: “Embassy staff and business operators in Iran and related nations are Chinese citizens providing essential cooperation for returns via oil channels.”
One Chinese national died in local strike-related incidents, with approximately 3,000 others safely evacuated from Iran.
