Chinese Nationals Scramble to Leave Iran Following Surprise Airstrikes

1. On February 28, Israeli and U.S. forces launched a surprise military strike on Iran, causing widespread explosions in the capital, Tehran. The attacks led to heavy smoke rising over government buildings, signaling the abrupt escalation of military conflict and creating widespread alarm among residents and foreign nationals in the city. The capital experienced both the physical effects of the strikes and the immediate psychological impact on its population. [para. 1]

2. Gao, a 26-year-old Chinese student enrolled in Iranian studies at the University of Tehran, witnessed a missile hit a government office building located roughly two miles south of the university. The impact filled the air with smoke, dust, and a strong smell of gunpowder and sulfur, making it instantly clear to witnesses that war had arrived. Gao noted that despite mental preparation due to rising tensions, the reality of explosions left him emotionally shaken, requiring several minutes to regain composure. [para. 2][para. 3][para. 4]

3. In anticipation of escalating conflict, the Chinese Embassy in Tehran had called Gao the day before the strikes, cautioning him to evacuate due to the deteriorating security situation. Early the next morning, as he began organizing his departure paperwork at the university, explosions started. Panic ensued as people rushed into the streets, causing severe congestion and traffic paralysis in central Tehran, even as police and Revolutionary Guard troops attempted to maintain order. [para. 5][para. 6][para. 7]

4. Gao’s efforts to reach the Iran International Student Affairs office were hampered by the chaos—what should have been a 20-minute trip by motorcycle taxi took over an hour, and upon arrival, he found the office closed. Returning to his suburban dormitory took an additional two hours amidst gridlocked transportation. Citing the proximity of government and military targets near the university, Gao reasoned that remaining in campus dormitories was comparatively safer. [para. 8][para. 9]

5. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy in Iran upgraded their warnings on February 27, urging citizens to avoid travel to Iran and advising those present to leave. Diplomatic missions offered assistance for evacuation via commercial flights or overland routes. On the day of the strikes, the embassy reiterated its advice for calm, to avoid sensitive sites, and to contact authorities if necessary. [para. 10][para. 11]

6. Of the original dozen Chinese students at the University of Tehran, only three remained after the attacks, according to Gao. Two had managed to secure flights home for March 1, but Gao was unable to obtain tickets amid the rush. His family remained anxious, and if conditions continued to deteriorate, their contingency plan was to attempt a land evacuation toward Turkey or Armenia. [para. 12][para. 13]

7. Despite the airstrikes, some Tehran residents seemed comparatively unphased. Gao observed that Iranian locals did not panic, potentially due to desensitization after previous conflicts, particularly the “12-Day War” between Israel and Iran in June 2025. Similarly, Yang, a Chinese restaurant owner in Tehran, operated her business as usual, noting that during previous strikes she had witnessed more intense bombardments, but this time her residential location felt relatively secure. The majority of remaining Chinese nationals in Tehran were private business owners, numbering around 70 to 80. [para. 14][para. 15][para. 16][para. 17][para. 18]

8. Yang reported readiness to evacuate if conditions worsened, although for the present, business activity continued with caution and watchfulness. Many Chinese expatriates had already left for the Lunar New Year, reducing the community size. [para. 19]

9. Journalist Li Rui described a calm, sunny morning abruptly shattered by explosions near major landmarks such as the Azadi Tower. Interviews with locals revealed divided reactions—some expressed anger and a desire for retaliation, while others embraced the conflict’s arrival. Post-attack, the city experienced unusual silence despite heavy traffic jams and the absence of panic buying or looting, signifying a collective adaptation to crisis. [para. 20][para. 21][para. 22][para. 23][para. 24][para. 25][para. 26]

10. Li recounted that during the June 2025 conflict, some Iranians had fled immediately; in contrast, many seemed more resigned this time, merely making minor preparations and weighing the risks of staying amid ongoing economic challenges. The dual threats of war and economic hardship reflected the difficult choices facing ordinary residents. [para. 27][para. 28]