RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY — SHOTLIST: BEIJING, CHINA (JUNE 18, 2025) (CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE - RESTRICTED) 1. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON GUO JIAKUN SAYING: "The Chinese Foreign Ministry and relevant embassies and consulates are working with other government agencies to do everything possible to keep Chinese nationals in Iran and Israel safe. And swiftly organize their evacuation. Chinese nationals in Israel and Iran, please contact our local embassies and consulates or dial the consular service hotline 12308."BEIJING, CHINA - JUNE 18, 2025 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT “CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESPERSON'S OFFICE” HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO —EDITORIAL USE ONLY — China has called on its nationals in Iran and Israel to leave both countries “as soon as possible” due to heightened regional tensions, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Friday. Speaking at a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated that the government is actively working to ensure the safety of its citizens in the region. “The Chinese Foreign Ministry and relevant embassies and consulates are working with other government agencies to do everything possible to keep Chinese nationals in Iran and Israel safe, and swiftly organize their evacuation,” Guo said. Several Asian nations have moved to evacuate their nationals from Israel and Iran amid the conflict that was initiated by Tel Aviv with its launching airstrikes against Iran. South Korea raised its travel advisory for Israel and Iran, urging South Koreans to leave the two countries immediately, the Korea Herald newspaper reported. The Foreign Ministry urged those considering travel to the region to cancel or delay plans. Japan also raised its travel advisory for Iran to the highest, Level 4, urging its citizens to "evacuate and avoid all travel," Kyodo News reported. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said Tokyo was also planning potential evacuation efforts for Japanese nationals in Iran and Israel, potentially collaborating with third countries. "The situation has become increasingly strained, so we will stay on guard to protect our nationals," Iwaya said, while urging all parties to exercise "utmost restraint." Malaysia “strongly advised” its nationals to leave Iran immediately, stating that the government was closely monitoring the situation in Iran through its embassy in Tehran, according to the Star newspaper. "This ongoing effort has intensified following the Israeli regime’s acts of aggression against Iran on June 13, which have significantly heightened tensions in the region,” the Foreign Ministry said. Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said Tuesday that the government is ready to evacuate its citizens from Israel if the conflict escalates, according to the Nation Thailand. Approximately 40,000 Thai nationals are currently residing in Israel, primarily employed on farms through a government labor program, while about 300 Thais are living in Iran. “The government has prepared all necessary measures to help Thai workers,” Paetongtarn said, noting that the Thai Air Force has prepared military aircraft for possible evacuation. Bangladesh also expressed concern for the safety of approximately 400 Bangladeshi in Iran, amid Israeli attacks. According to the Foreign Ministry, “efforts are now underway to ensure their safe evacuation.” Regional tensions have escalated since Friday, when Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes. Israeli authorities said that at least 24 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks since Friday. Iran, for its part, said that at least 224 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the Israeli assault. Writing by ​​​​​​Berk Kutay Gokmen & Berkay Gur