Southeast Asian nations are urging the evacuation of their citizens from Iran and Israel as the air war escalates, with Malaysia warning of “rapidly deteriorating conditions” and Thailand preparing to bring back tens of thousands of migrant labourers from Israeli farms and factories.
Thousands of Iranians have fled the capital of Tehran this week, since Israel launched strikes that have killed more than 220 people, mostly civilians. Two dozen have been killed in retaliatory missile attacks on Israeli territory.
The escalating hostilities have triggered fears they could spill over into a regional conflict that threatens global security and potentially chokes off a crucial supply route for crude oil and gas from the Middle East.
Malaysia’s government on Wednesday said that efforts were underway to evacuate all Malaysians from Iran by Friday.
“The number of Malaysians in Iran, including those who are working, studying or travelling, is relatively small,” Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told a news conference broadcast on social media.
Earlier, Malaysia’s foreign ministry said that all those registered with its embassy in Iran were safe, but warned that the situation “remains highly volatile and may worsen without warning”.
