ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has started evacuating families of its diplomats and staff, as well as members of some non-essential staff from Iran, a senior foreign ministry official confirmed on Tuesday as Tehran’s military conflict with Israel intensifies.
Thousands of residents of Iran’s capital Tehran are reportedly fleeing their homes and stockpiling essential supplies out of fear that Israel will intensify its strikes against regional foe Iran in the coming days.
Iran and Israel have been locked in military conflict since Friday when the latter attacked the former’s nuclear facilities and military leadership in a bid to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons. Israel’s strikes have killed at least 224 people in Iran while Tehran has retaliated by launching more than 370 missiles and hundreds of drones at Israel. So far, 24 people have been killed in Israel and more than 500 wounded.
“The foreign ministry is moving out families of diplomats and staff and some non-essential staff from Iran,” the official, who requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to media, said in a statement.
“However Pakistan embassy in Tehran and our consulates will continue to remain functional.”
