Following the beginning of the military escalation between Israel and Iran, the first Germans were evacuated from the region on a special flight via Jordan's capital, Amman. "With the first special flight for German citizens, 171 people were able to leave the region today," the Federal Foreign Office announced on Wednesday evening. "Another flight will follow tomorrow."
A ministry spokesperson had previously announced the first "special commercial flight" for later that day. "This is not a repatriation operation or even an evacuation," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized. It is a commercial offer for Germans who, given the security situation, want to leave Israel via Jordan.
The border crossing from Israel to Jordan is open, and there are also other commercial flights from Amman, the spokesperson said. A seat on the special flight costs approximately 300 euros.
The situation is more difficult for Germans stranded in Iran following the airspace closures. Commercial exit options by air are not available, the Foreign Office spokesperson said. However, exit by land is possible, and the borders to neighboring countries such as Armenia and Turkey are partially open. The Foreign Office is advising Germans in Iran who wish to leave about the available options.
According to information from the Federal Foreign Office, a good 4,000 Germans have now registered on a crisis preparedness list for Israel. More than 1,000 Germans are on the list for Iran.
Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) said in Berlin on Wednesday that his ministry's staff are working "at full speed" to assist Germans in leaving Israel and Iran. The special flights from Amman were made possible thanks to the "excellent cooperation with Jordan," "for which I express my sincere gratitude," Wadephul said at a meeting with his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi.
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