Russia on Tuesday confirmed that an additional group of 175 workers evacuated from Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant has safely departed for Moscow, as efforts continue to withdraw personnel amid rising regional tensions.
According to a statement from the Russian Embassy in Armenia, the evacuees crossed into Armenia through the Nurduz-Agarak border crossing before boarding a special flight to Moscow on Monday. The group is part of a broader evacuation effort involving Russian nationals working at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant.
The embassy disclosed that a total of 509 Russian citizens have now been evacuated via Armenia since the outbreak of hostilities following the joint offensive by the United States and Israel against Iran. Moscow also expressed “deep gratitude” to Armenia for facilitating the safe passage of employees linked to the state nuclear agency, Rosatom.
Earlier, on Sunday, Rosatom Director-General Alexey Likhachev confirmed that most Russian personnel stationed at the Bushehr facility had already been evacuated. He added that another round of evacuations is being planned for the coming week as a precautionary measure.
Russia began pulling out its workers from the Iranian nuclear facility last month, citing growing security concerns as tensions in the Middle East intensified. The escalation followed a joint US-Israeli military offensive launched on February 28, which has reportedly resulted in more than 1,400 deaths, including that of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In response to the offensive, Iran has carried out a series of retaliatory drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf states hosting US military installations. The ongoing conflict has heightened fears of a broader regional war, with multiple countries taking steps to protect their citizens and assets.
In addition to military retaliation, Iran has also imposed restrictions on maritime movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route for oil and gas. The move has further disrupted international trade and raised concerns about global energy supplies.
Analysts say Russia’s evacuation efforts reflect the seriousness of the security situation and the risks posed to foreign nationals working in sensitive installations such as nuclear facilities. The Bushehr plant, a key component of Iran’s civilian nuclear program, has long been operated with technical assistance from Russian experts.
The continued evacuation of personnel suggests that Moscow is taking precautionary measures to avoid potential fallout from further escalation, particularly as military strikes and retaliatory actions continue across the region.
While Russian authorities have not indicated any immediate plans to suspend operations at the Bushehr plant permanently, the phased withdrawal of staff highlights the uncertainty surrounding the facility’s operations amid the ongoing conflict.
As tensions persist, international observers are closely monitoring developments, particularly the implications for nuclear safety, regional stability, and the protection of foreign workers in conflict zones. The situation remains fluid, with further evacuations expected in the coming days as countries reassess the safety of their nationals in Iran.
