LFreetown, Wednesday, 18 June 2025 — The Government of Sierra Leone has confirmed the safe evacuation of its diplomatic staff and citizens from the Islamic Republic of Iran, amid growing instability caused by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the evacuation was conducted after a thorough assessment of the deteriorating security situation in Tehran.
A total of 36 individuals, including embassy personnel and Sierra Leonean students residing in Iran, were safely relocated to neighbouring Armenia on Wednesday, 18 June 2025.
To maintain consular operations and manage residual diplomatic responsibilities, a temporary task team has been established in Armenia. The team, composed of embassy staff, will continue to offer assistance to Sierra Leoneans and monitor developments in Iran.
Since mid-June, tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated sharply. On 13 June 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and IRGC command centres—some of which were located near Tehran—seeking to disrupt Iran’s nuclear weapons capability.
Iran promptly retaliated with ballistic missile strikes aimed at Israel. The conflict has triggered widespread civilian panic, with hundreds of foreign nationals fleeing Iran into nearby countries.
As regional instability spread, numerous nations—India, Ghana, Poland, Thailand, and others—began emergency evacuations via Armenia and Azerbaijan.
