Sierra Leone Evacuates 24 Nationals from Iran Amid Middle East Tensions

Sierra Leone evacuated 24 nationals and embassy staff from Iran amid escalating Middle East tensions, relocating them safely to Armenia. The group included students, diplomats, and embassy workers. The government urged citizens in the region to follow safety directives and confirmed Sierra Leoneans in other Middle Eastern countries are safe.

The Government of Sierra Leone has successfully evacuated 24 of its nationals and diplomatic staff from Iran following escalating military exchanges in the Middle East that raised serious security concerns. The evacuees were safely relocated to Armenia as a precautionary measure to ensure their safety amid the growing regional tensions. Among those evacuated were fourteen students, one private citizen, three Sierra Leonean diplomats, and six locally recruited staff members of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Tehran.
In response to the deteriorating situation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation activated emergency protocols and has maintained close monitoring of developments in the region through its diplomatic missions. The government emphasized the importance of safety and issued strict directives for all Sierra Leoneans in affected areas, advising them to adhere to local regulations, including curfews and other emergency procedures. Citizens were also urged to remain in regular contact with their families and Sierra Leone’s diplomatic missions to ensure their well-being.
Furthermore, the government confirmed that Sierra Leonean citizens residing in other countries in the Middle East, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Israel, are safe and accounted for, based on reports from Sierra Leone’s foreign missions. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and remain prepared to take further measures to safeguard the lives of Sierra Leoneans in the region, stressing that the safety of its citizens remains a top priority amid the ongoing uncertainties in the Middle East.