The Chinese Foreign Ministry and relevant diplomatic missions are promptly organizing the evacuation of Chinese citizens in Israel and Iran, a spokesman said on Tuesday.
Noting that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the safety of its citizens overseas, Guo Jiakun, the spokesman, said that the Foreign Ministry has demanded that Iran and Israel protect Chinese nationals and institutions.
"Since the outbreak of the Iran-Israel conflict, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the embassies and consulates in Iran and Israel have immediately activated the emergency consular protection mechanism, demanding that the two countries effectively ensure the safety of Chinese citizens and institutions, promptly issued relevant reminders and guidelines, maintained close contact with local Chinese citizens and institutions to guide them to take safety precautions and urgent measures to avoid danger, and actively provided assistance to Chinese citizens in evacuation," Guo told a press conference in Beijing.
"At present, some Chinese citizens have been safely evacuated to neighboring countries. The Foreign Ministry and relevant diplomatic missions are working with concerned departments to make every effort to protect Chinese citizens in Iran and Israel and to organize their swift evacuation," the spokesman continued.
Guo advised Chinese citizens in Iran and Israel to contact Chinese embassies and consulates or call the consular protection hotline 12308.
Evacuation of Chinese citizens from Israel, Iran underway: spokesman
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
