Hours before Israel started bombing the capital of Iran, Tehran, Mohammad Reza Azimi left.
The escape was not planned; It was happiness
“I left Tehran a day before the attacks started, not knowing that such an escalation was imminent,” he told the ABC.
The migration agent from Sydney was in the capital and visited his parents and brothers and sisters before the conflict between Israel and Iran unfolded.
His wife and daughter at home in Australia are waiting full of excitement to hear from him, hoping he will be safe.
He is booked on a flight to leave the country on July 4, but he feels conflict about early escape while Iran is in turmoil.
“I am torn apart between two worlds … emotional. I am in a very difficult place,”
he said.
“On the one hand I am here with my elderly parents and brothers and sisters, and it doesn’t feel morally good to walk away from them … On the other hand, I have my wife and children back in Australia who need me.”
Mohammad Reza Azimi visits the grave of Pire Shaliar in the old village of Uraman Takht, in Iran. ((Delivered))
The last conflict in Iran-Israel started after Israel had launched dozens of air strikes against Iranian goals last Friday.
It coincided with a report from the United Nations found that were found Iran had not left his nuclear obligations – The first time in almost 20 years.
Since the start of the conflict, Iran and Israel have traded fire, with explosions in Tel Aviv and Tehran.
Israel’s air campaign has hit various nuclear and military locations, killing top general and nuclear scientists.
An Iranian human rights group established in Washington said that at least 639 people, including 263 citizens, were killed in Iran and more than 1,300 injured, but Tehran did not give regular updates about the death toll.
In retaliation, Iran fired around 400 missiles and hundreds of drones, in which at least 24 civilians in Israel are killed and injured hundreds. Some have hit apartment buildings in Central Israel, which causes serious damage.
Mr. Azimi said Iran’s planning had been difficult and he felt “stranded” and “not supported by the Australian government”.
Despite registering for consular aid with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), he said he did not hear of it.
A spokesperson for DFAT said the government understood that this was a disturbing time for Australians in the region and for their loved ones at home.
“The safety of Australians is our priority. The consular team of DFAT works to help Australians with safety, via land and air when it is safe to do this,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
More than 2,000 Australians in Iran and Israel
Mr. Azimi said that he was now staying in the province of Kurdistan of Marivan, a city 20 kilometers from the border between Iraq and Iran, where he had very limited access to the internet and the outside world.
“It is incredibly difficult and heartbreaking to see all of this unfolding in Iran – a country where my family lives and where my roots are,”
he said.
“Our politicians in Australia did not convict the attack of Israel. It was not provoked. And by silence, I believe that Australia is on the wrong side of history.”
The Australian government Iran has called on every nuclear program And return to diplomacy and dialogue.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong has described the situation in the Middle East as “increasingly dangerous”.
About 1500 Australians in Iran and 1,200 in Israel have registered for help to date, but she expects that number to increase.
Senator Wong confirmed that Australia could get a “small group of” people from the region “from the region” yesterday.
Rabbi Moshe Kahn was able to escape with his cruise ship with his group of volunteers. ((Lever: Facebook))
Among them was Rabbi Moshe Kahn, who visited Israel when the bombing started and described his experience.
“You go for a walk and then you get a message that you should find a bomb within a few minutes,” he told the ABC.
“So that is clearly not something an Australian could ever dream of.“
Mr. Kahn felt an extra sense of responsibility during evacuation – for the group of 50 volunteers he brought with him.
“We were just on a bus ride and we had to stop and everyone had to get off and lie on the floor against the wall because there was no bomb care,” he said.
The group eventually escaped Israel by cruise ship and arrived in Cyprus before he boarded a flight to Dubai to return to Australia.
“Instead of waiting all day at the airport, we took a soulful detour to the breathtaking coast of Ayia Napa,” Mr. Kahn Posted on Facebook.
“From exploring majestic caves to baptizing our feet in crystal clear water, we found a moment of calmness in the storm.”
But he was worried about the plight situation of his older mother and brother, whose son has a disability who stays in Israel.
“My brother cannot take him to the shelter every time. He lives on the apartment on the fourth floor and the shelter is all the way down],” he said.
‘And just hear what he is going through and the fear for it [is difficult.
“It’s the real impact of your day-to-day life. The city’s really shut down.”
Senator Wong said the situation on the ground was very difficult.
“We took the opportunity to get a small group out by land crossing yesterday and we’ll seek to continue that,” she told ABC News Breakfast.
“Obviously, the situation on the ground is fluid. Iran is a very complicated situation, a very risky situation. I think we all know that.
“Our travel advice remains the same and it is that if you are able to leave safely, you should do so. If not, shelter in place.“
Loading…
#Thousands #stranded #Australians #leave #IranIsrael #escalates #conflict