DAR ES SALAAM, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The Tanzanian government has repatriated 147 of its 663 citizens residing in Israel and Iran amid the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East, authorities said on Monday.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Dennis Londo made the announcement in parliament in the national capital of Dodoma, while responding to lawmakers' comments during an ongoing debate on the 2025/2026 national budget and development plan.
He said the world is experiencing uncertainty due to ongoing conflicts in various countries, and President Samia Suluhu Hassan has directed the ministry to coordinate the safe return of Tanzanians from these countries.
"There were 168 Tanzanians in Iran and 495 in Israel. So far, 147 Tanzanians have been repatriated, 42 from Israel and 65 from Iran, safely exiting danger zones and beginning their journey home or to other safe areas," he said.
Londo clarified that the repatriation efforts were coordinated by the ministry in cooperation with Tanzanian embassies in those regions.
The deputy minister also emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring the safe return of all its citizens and reiterated Tanzania's condemnation of ongoing conflicts, urging that diplomatic and internationally agreed solutions be prioritized. ■
