Baku: More than 600 foreign nationals from 17 countries have crossed into Azerbaijan from Iran since Israel began striking the country last Friday. The evacuees, who include citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and several European countries, are being transported to Baku airport and flown to their home countries.

Azerbaijan temporarily reopened its border to facilitate the evacuation, while Turkmenistan also aided in the transit of around 120 people.

The borders between the two countries were shut during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and have remained the same way until now. AFP reports that the foreigners who crossed over via the Astara checkpoint are being transported to Baku airport and back home.

The evacuation efforts come amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with Israel launching unprecedented strikes on Iranian territory, saying it aims to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon - a goal Iran denies pursuing.

The Israeli attacks have killed at least 224 people and wounded more than 1,000, according to an official toll released Sunday.

In retaliation, Iran has carried out multiple attacks that have killed at least 24 people in Israel since Friday, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.

AFP inputs