In Depth: Chinese Nationals Flee Tehran as War Upends Lives in Iran

1. On February 28, artillery fire erupted in central Tehran, disrupting the life of Zhang Xin, a Chinese graduate student at the University of Tehran. Zhang had been preparing to leave for China when sudden explosions occurred near the downtown area around 9:40 a.m., signaling the start of a violent new conflict in the Middle East involving U.S. and Israeli forces against Iran. As of March 9, Iran’s health ministry reported 1,255 deaths and over 12,000 injuries, including many women, highlighting the severe toll of the ongoing war. The conflict prompted a mass exodus of Chinese nationals, who fled either through routes coordinated by the Chinese Embassy or through their own means. The unpredictable and rapidly deteriorating situation led many to recall the uncertainty and fear they faced before the war’s outbreak [para. 1][para. 2][para. 3][para. 4][para. 5].

2. Immediately after the bombardment, Zhang retrieved his passport and avoided government buildings, recognizing their vulnerability as targets. He and other students, along with local Iranians, sought safety in parks and open spaces due to the lack of air-raid shelters. The University of Tehran swiftly closed campus and ordered evacuations, leaving foreign students like Zhang and Chen Bo with little time to react. The chaos of the initial attacks, which targeted central government sites, was unexpected for many, as they had anticipated more limited military action. Chinese students had prepared for such an emergency by stockpiling supplies, gathering taxi contacts, and forming an online emergency group. In the tense aftermath, they learned through limited internet access that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei might have been killed in the attacks [para. 6][para. 7][para. 8][para. 9][para. 10][para. 11][para. 12][para. 13][para. 14][para. 15][para. 16][para. 17].

3. By March 1, widespread mourning ceremonies were underway in Iran. The Chinese Embassy organized an evacuation to Azerbaijan, and Zhang felt some relief after leaving Tehran, which was marred by visible destruction. Other Chinese residents with long-term ties to Iran, such as Xu Yan, initially hesitated to flee, hoping to protect their businesses and homes. As the situation worsened, Xu and others were compelled to leave, though many business owners faced difficult choices given their significant investments and responsibilities in Iran. Many evacuees, now in neighboring countries like Azerbaijan, remain anxious about their future and hope for a prompt return once conditions improve [para. 18][para. 19][para. 20][para. 21][para. 22][para. 23][para. 24][para. 25][para. 26][para. 27][para. 28][para. 29][para. 30][para. 31].

4. Zhang reflected on the cultural aspects of the conflict, noting the importance of martyrdom in Iranian Shiite culture as demonstrated by the collective rituals of mourning after Khamenei’s reported death. He observed the profound connections between political and religious beliefs in Iran. Despite its rich civilization and national pride, modern Iran struggles with economic hardship, a restrictive political environment, and social divisions. U.S. sanctions, intensified after President Trump withdrew from the nuclear deal in 2018, exacerbated these challenges, deepening societal distrust and fueling internal unrest. The country has been rocked by successive crises, from the Covid-19 pandemic to protests and confrontations with Israel, culminating in the latest conflict under Trump’s second administration [para. 32][para. 33][para. 34][para. 35][para. 36][para. 37][para. 38][para. 39].

5. Living and doing business in Iran is described as both rewarding and frustrating. Long-term Chinese residents mentioned the rise in living costs and difficulties due to sanctions, which have isolated the country from global systems. Many young Iranians feel disconnected from the country’s long-time supreme leader, viewing him as a distant figure. Economic disparity is stark; local wages are insufficient for basic needs. For Chinese residents forced to leave, airfares have surged, making return to China expensive and difficult. Nevertheless, many, including students awaiting graduation and businesspeople hoping to protect their investments, continue to monitor the situation, hoping to return when peace resumes [para. 40][para. 41][para. 42][para. 43][para. 44][para. 45][para. 46][para. 47][para. 48][para. 49][para. 50][para. 51].