Tehran/Islamabad/Dhaka — June 19, 2025
As tensions between Iran and Israel threaten to erupt into a wider regional conflict, the Government of Bangladesh has moved to initiate urgent diplomatic measures to ensure the safety of its citizens currently residing in Iran. Among the primary strategies under consideration is the repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals through Pakistan, a proposal to which Islamabad has signaled its agreement in principle.
According to multiple highly-placed diplomatic sources in both Tehran and Islamabad, the Bangladesh Embassy in Tehran has formally issued a diplomatic communiqué to its Pakistani counterpart, requesting assistance in facilitating the return of Bangladeshi citizens through Pakistani territory. An initial list of 90 Bangladeshi nationals seeking to return home has already been submitted. These individuals are believed to be among the most vulnerable, particularly in light of the deteriorating security environment in the Iranian capital.
The Bangladesh High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mr. Md. Iqbal Hossain Khan, has been at the forefront of ongoing negotiations. On Wednesday, June 18, he held a crucial meeting with senior officials in Islamabad to discuss the logistics, legalities, and operational challenges of the proposed repatriation. The Pakistani side reportedly expressed broad support for the initiative but indicated that formal procedures must still be adhered to.
Obstacles in Visa Processing and Internet Disruption
One of the major bottlenecks in executing the repatriation plan is the requirement for online visa applications. The Pakistani authorities have requested that Bangladeshis in Iran apply for visas through the online portal. However, due to widespread disruptions to internet access in Iran — a direct consequence of the escalating military situation — many individuals are unable to complete the application process.
Acknowledging this logistical hurdle, the Bangladesh Embassy in Tehran has formally requested Pakistan to consider alternative arrangements, including allowing visa-on-arrival, manual passport submission, or granting special transit permissions under humanitarian grounds. Discussions on this matter are ongoing, and Islamabad has not ruled out the possibility of exceptions, especially for those with valid travel documents or diplomatic status.
Evacuation and Relocation Efforts in Tehran
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh mission in Tehran has begun preliminary evacuation efforts for embassy staff and vulnerable citizens. As of now, approximately 40 individuals — including the ambassador, two diplomats, five embassy staff members, and their families — have been relocated to safer areas outside central Tehran.
Out of nearly 400 Bangladeshis residing in Tehran, around 100 have established direct contact with the embassy. Nearly half of them have already moved away from high-risk zones, seeking refuge in rural or less volatile regions of the country. According to official estimates, the broader Bangladeshi community across Iran comprises approximately 1,800 individuals, including legal residents, undocumented migrants, students, and professionals.
Ground Realities: Who Are the Bangladeshis in Iran?
The Bangladeshi population in Iran can be broadly categorized into several groups:
- Long-term Legal Residents: Around 600 individuals who have lived in Iran for more than three decades. Many of them are married to Iranian nationals and are integrated into local society.
- Undocumented Workers: An estimated 800 Bangladeshis are living in Iran without proper documentation. These individuals are employed in construction, agriculture, manufacturing, and other informal sectors.
- Students and Professionals: Approximately 200 Bangladeshi students are enrolled in various Iranian universities, and another 10–12 professionals work in education, healthcare, and small businesses.
- Human Trafficking Victims: Iran is often used as a transit hub by human traffickers. At any given time, about 300 to 500 Bangladeshis are believed to be in temporary holding situations awaiting illegal transfer to Europe or the Gulf.
Notably, 28 Bangladeshi citizens were scheduled to fly back home on June 13. However, they have since been stranded due to the abrupt suspension of commercial flights in and out of Iran. Their return now hinges on the success of the land-based evacuation effort.
Strategic Route: Via Pakistan and the Gulf
With Iran’s airspace effectively closed to international civil aviation, land evacuation is the only viable alternative. The current plan under consideration involves moving Bangladeshi nationals from Tehran to the Iran-Pakistan border, specifically through the volatile Balochistan province.
From there, repatriates would be transported to the Pakistani city of Karachi. Given the absence of direct flights between Pakistan and Bangladesh, the government is coordinating with Gulf carriers to reroute evacuees through Dubai, before finally flying them into Dhaka.
However, the viability of this route suffered a setback on June 15, when the provincial government of Balochistan in Pakistan announced the indefinite closure of all border crossings at Turbat, Panjgur, and Gwadar, citing security risks due to the escalating conflict in the region.
Foreign Ministry and Embassy Coordination
Senior officials at the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that active coordination is underway among its missions in Tehran, Islamabad, and Abu Dhabi. Contingency plans are being drawn up in case the Pakistan route becomes infeasible due to the border closures or further deterioration of the security situation.
According to these sources, the ministry is also exploring the feasibility of using Turkey as an alternative corridor. However, given Ankara’s cautious stance and complex visa procedures for South Asian nationals, optimism regarding this route remains low.
Appeal for International Cooperation
In view of the potential humanitarian crisis, Bangladesh is appealing to both Pakistan and international partners for swift and coordinated assistance. Officials are hopeful that Islamabad will allow expedited clearance for those with diplomatic, official, or valid residential documents. Those without documentation, however, pose a legal and logistical challenge.
A senior official at the Bangladesh High Commission in Islamabad remarked:
“We are in constant touch with the Pakistani authorities. While they have not yet issued a final green light, their attitude remains cooperative. We are also advocating for special consideration for those unable to complete online visa applications due to the internet blackout in Iran.”
The official also noted that the embassy has assured Islamabad that the repatriates will not remain in Pakistan for extended periods. Instead, transit arrangements will be made immediately to fly them out via third-party carriers.
As Iran stands at the brink of a larger conflict, Bangladesh is racing against time to ensure the safety and repatriation of its citizens. While diplomatic channels remain open and promising signs have emerged from Islamabad, the fluid nature of the regional crisis demands swift decisions and robust international cooperation.
Until formal approvals and logistical arrangements are finalized, hundreds of Bangladeshis remain stranded in an increasingly unstable Iran — watching, waiting, and hoping for safe passage home.
