PORT SUDAN – Sudan’s de facto Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday that Sudanese citizens stranded in Iran due to Israel’s military attacks have successfully been evacuated to Turkey. The evacuation, finalized on June 19, 2025, was carried out through coordinated efforts between Sudanese embassies in Tehran and Ankara.
In a press statement, the foreign ministry confirmed that the plan to relocate its nationals came “following arrangements made by both countries in the regard.” Sudanese authorities, it said, responded promptly to the unfolding situation in Iran to ensure the safety of their citizens.
“The evacuation plan adopted by the Sudanese government has transferred its nationals to Turkey due to the Israeli aggression on Iran,” the statement read. it further noted that “the Sudanese embassies in Tehran and Ankara coordinated evacuation arrangements,” and that ” the evacuation process for all Sudanese nationals has now been completed.”
The ministry also revealed that the Sudanese Embassy in Ankara had formally requested Turkish authorities to allow the transfer of Sudanese evacuees from Iran, a request that was swiftly approved by the Turkish government.
Despite successfully relocating its citizens to Turkey, the foreign ministry has not yet disclosed whether a second phase of evacuation from Turkey to Sudan will take place.
Hundreds of Sudanese nationals were residing in Iran, many of them students enrolled in Iranian universities and others working in the private sector. The number of Sudanese in Iran has grown significantly since the outbreak of Sudan’s civil war in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), as many sought asylum abroad.
The evacuation comes amid soaring tensions in the Middle East following Israel’s sustained military campaign against Iran. The current escalation began in early June 2025, when Israel launched a series of strikes targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure, missile sites, and Revolutionary Guard positions. prompting several countries to begin emergency evacuations of their nationals from the conflict zone.
Sudan’s swift response to protect its citizens in Iran reflects growing concern over the spillover effects of the Israel-Iran confrontation, especially as some international airlines suspend flights to the region and security threats mount.
The foreign ministry’s decision to refrain from confirming whether the evacuation will continue to Sudan likely stems from logistical and security challenges posted by the ongoing war at home, which has crippled transport networks and governance structures.
With many Sudanese families are now in transit in Turkey, the next steps in the evacuation process remain unclear. However, Port Sudan’s diplomatic corps has signaled that it is closely monitoring the situation and remains in touch with Turkish authorities and Sudanese nationals to ensure their welfare and safety.
