Diplomatic missions preparing evacuation strategies for their national residents in Israel and Iran due to escalating tensions
HÀ Nội — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided updates on safeguarding Vietnamese nationals in Israel and Iran as tensions between the two countries intensify.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Phạm Thu Hằng shared these details during a press briefing in Hà Nội. In response to the unrest in the Middle East, on June 13, the ministry cautioned Vietnamese nationals living, studying, or working in Israel and Iran to adhere to local safety and security guidelines.
"We have advised these nationals to stay informed and remain in contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and our Vietnamese representative missions in both countries, while also preparing relevant evacuation scenarios and measures to ensure the safe return of people and their belongings to Vietnam or a third country," Hằng stated.
As of the most recent data, there are over 700 Vietnamese citizens in Israel, in addition to 37 holders of Vietnamese nationality and four Vietnamese-origin individuals in Iran. Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities within the Vietnamese communities in these regions.
"Over the past days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as other domestic agencies, have engaged in comprehensive discussions regarding potential scenarios and measures to safeguard Vietnamese nationals in high-risk areas. Our representative missions have been tasked with closely monitoring the situation and urging local authorities to ensure the security of the Vietnamese community," Hằng explained to the media.
International collaboration is crucial during this delicate time, as agencies under the foreign ministry, Vietnamese representative missions, and partners in Hà Nội have all forged close relationships to secure the safety of Vietnamese nationals, the offices of these missions, and to devise evacuation plans should it become necessary.
According to Hằng, the Vietnamese embassy in Iran has been coordinating with the embassy in the Russian Federation and other relevant countries to ensure the protection of Vietnamese nationals and has already successfully repatriated 18 citizens from Iran to a third country or back to Vietnam. The remaining citizens in Iran are safe and under the watchful eye of embassy officials.
The Vietnamese embassy in Israel has also established an online platform to register Vietnamese nationals wishing to leave the country, monitoring the list and working with relevant authorities to arrange appropriate assistance measures. The embassy has cautioned the Vietnamese community members to stay calm, prepare accordingly, and be aware of updates from regional authorities in the event that the situation becomes critical.
It is clear that Vietnam is vigilant in its efforts to protect its citizens during this period of escalating hostilities in the Middle East. Stay tuned for further updates as the situation evolves.
A view of damaged buildings in Bat Yam, Israel, following missile attacks from Iran on June 19. - XINHUA/VNA Photo
Sources:
- VNS
- The Associated Press
- Vietnam International Communist Party Newspaper
- VietnamNet Bridge
- Given the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vietnam has been actively updating its measures to safeguard Vietnamese citizens in these regions.
- In light of the escalating political tensions and war-and-conflicts in the Middle East, Vietnam is strengthening its collaboration with international agencies and partners to ensure the safety of its nationals, laboring diligently to devise evacuation plans if required.
- Amidst the intensifying unrest in the Middle East, the AI-driven communication systems of the Vietnamese embassies in both Israel and Iran are being utilized to keep the Vietnamese community informed and connected, while also monitoring the situation and providing necessary assistance if needed.
