CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEED; ADDS EVACUATIONS FROM CHINA, JAPAN, DECISION BY MALAYSIA
By Saadet Gokce and Islamuddin Sajid
ISTANBUL (AA) - China, Japan and the Philippines on Friday continued to evacuate their citizens from Iran and Israel as the conflict between the two countries mounts.
China reported that the first part of evacuated Chinese nationals from Iran arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport from Turkmenistan, according to CGTN television.
On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a news conference in Beijing that more than 1,600 Chinese citizens have been evacuated from Iran and hundreds from Israel.
The Philippines reported that six Filipinos made it to the embassy in Amman, according to the Philippine News Agency.
Additionally, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs raised the alert level to voluntary repatriation in Israel and Iran. The agency said earlier that 26 Filipinos could be possibly evacuated from Israel this weekend via border crossing into Jordan.
Eight Filipinos have been injured, with one of them in critical condition.
Malaysia said that "those who have agreed to join the repatriation process are expected to leave Tehran on Friday.”
On Wednesday, Communications Minister and Madani government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said that Malaysians would be evacuated Friday.
Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa urged nationals to leave the danger zones, according to the Nation Thailand.
Thirty-five Thais are reportedly in Iran.
Australia also announced that it has suspended operations at its embassy in the Iranian capital of Tehran and directed diplomats and their families to leave the country.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the government made the decision based on advice about the deteriorating security environment in Iran. However, Australia’s ambassador to Iran will remain in the region to support the Australian government’s response to the crisis, she said.
"We urge Australians who are able to leave Iran to do so now, if it is safe. Those who are unable to, or do not wish to leave, are advised to shelter in place," she added.
Australia’s Foreign Ministry also deployed consular staff to Azerbaijan, including its border crossing, to support Australians departing Iran, according to the statement.
Regional tensions have escalated since June 13, when Israel launched airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.
Meanwhile, in Iran, 639 people have been killed and more than 1,300 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to Iranian media reports.