Netherlands evacuating Tehran embassy, moving Iran diplomats to Azerbaijan
Dutch embassy staff in Iran have been temporarily moved to the Azerbaijani capital, Baku. Foreign Affairs Minister Tom Berendsen confirmed on Tuesday that the decision was taken because of increased security risks due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The evacuation came after a number of regional incidents, notably Iranian drone strikes on locations close to the Azerbaijan border. In the past few days, several other European countries, including Belgium, Romania, Switzerland, and Austria, have also used the same route to pull their diplomatic staff out of Iran.
The delegation, led by Ambassador Emiel de Bont, crossed safely into Azerbaijan through the Astara border post. It included four Dutch embassy staff members. Simultaneously, nine Algerian diplomats and several other foreign nationals were evacuated as well.
“We are monitoring the situation in Iran closely. If conditions on the ground become safe again, authorities will determine when and how the Dutch embassy can restart its operations in Tehran,” Berendsen said in a statement on X.
As a precaution, the consular office in Tehran had already been closed to the public. The embassy is currently operating temporarily out of Baku. The Dutch government expressed its gratitude to Azerbaijan for assisting and ensuring a secure crossing at the land border.
In response to the recent attacks, the Dutch government formally approved the deployment of the navy vessel HNLMS Evertsen to the eastern Mediterranean on Monday. The deployment aims to protect regional allies from potential Iranian missile and drone attacks. It is also meant to serve as a deterrent to help prevent further escalation.
The Evertsen will integrate into a French naval task force centered on a French aircraft carrier. The frigate is already taking part in the major French exercise Orion 26 in the area.
