An incoming projectile explodes over the water as Israel issues a nationwide alert following its strikes on Iran, in Haifa Bay, northern Israel, Saturday, February 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Leo Correa). Photo: VCG

The Chinese Embassy in Iran told the Global Times on Saturday that it has so far received no reports of Chinese casualties after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran. The Global Times also learned from the president of the Iran Federation of Chinese Organizations that, acting on instructions from the Chinese Embassy in Iran, the organization is making evacuation preparations and expects to carry out an orderly withdrawal from Iran via land border crossings once conditions permit.

The Embassy issued a special reminder on Saturday afternoon local time, urging Chinese nationals in Iran to strengthen security precautions. According to the notice issued earlier Saturday local time, Iran was subjected to military strikes, and the local security situation has become extremely severe and complex. The Chinese Embassy and consulates in Iran urged Chinese nationals to closely follow developments, remain calm, stay alert, enhance personal security measures, and be prepared to take immediate emergency shelter. 

Chinese nationals in Iran were advised to avoid sensitive locations and crowded places. In case of emergency, Chinese nationals were urged to promptly report to local police and contact the Chinese Embassy or consulates in Iran.

The Global Times learned from Tan Kai, president of the Iran federation of Chinese organizations, that there are currently more than 200 Chinese nationals living in Iran. 

Once the embassy has coordinated arrangements with border authorities, it will notify the organizations, which will then organize Chinese nationals to proceed to the border crossings. At present, the current status is standing by, while some Chinese nationals who are able to leave on their own have already departed, Tan told the Global Times.

“Similar conflict occurred last June, so both Chinese nationals and relevant institutions in Iran have some degree of psychological preparedness and willingness to evacuate,” a Chinese student surnamed Gao in Tehran told the Global Times on Saturday.

Drawing on last June’s evacuation experience, Chinese students said that if departure via commercial flights is not possible, the most likely evacuation plan would be to first assemble at the Chinese embassy or designated Chinese restaurants in central Tehran, before being transported by embassy-arranged buses through the Tabriz area to border crossings with Armenia, Azerbaijan or Turkey to complete the evacuation.

A Chinese national surnamed Xiong, who works in the photovoltaic industry in Tehran, told the Global Times that he witnessed an explosion on a hillside across from his construction site on Saturday. At around 1 am, he arrived at a hotel in the suburbs of Tehran. He is currently safe at the hotel and has access to emergency supplies that he had prepared in advance.

As Iran’s airspace is currently closed, Xiong plans to wait for his colleagues, who are about 50 kilometers away in Parand, to meet him at the hotel. After that, they intend to take vehicles directly to Azerbaijan, a journey expected to take about half a day.