Bulgaria Withdraws Diplomats Amid Iran-Israel Tensions

Bulgaria has decided to close its embassy in Tehran and relocate its diplomatic personnel and their families to Azerbaijan amidst escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. The decision was confirmed by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, who spoke to local media on Friday about the developing situation.

Prime Minister Zhelyazkov highlighted that the embassy's proximity to the third district of Tehran, an area Israel advised people to evacuate, prompted the decision to move their diplomats. 'The Bulgarian embassy is in the immediate vicinity of this area, and we decided to have our diplomats leave the country,' Zhelyazkov stated.

The embassy's staff and their families undertook a six-hour journey by convoy to the Azerbaijan border, where they faced an additional six-hour wait due to border inspections. Despite these challenges, the embassy will continue its diplomatic operations from the Azerbaijani capital, Baku.

(With inputs from agencies.)