TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran have forced both countries to shut down their airspace, stranding travelers and heightening fears of a broader regional conflict in the Middle East. Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部), the government agency responsible for diplomatic relations and consular services, successfully aided 14 Taiwanese citizens who were trapped in Israel by organizing ground transportation to neighboring Jordan. From there, Taiwan's unofficial diplomatic mission in Jordan, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, coordinated their safe passage back to Taiwan.
Taiwan's foreign ministry officials confirmed that Amman's Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan's capital has resumed operations, providing a crucial exit route from the region. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Israel, Taiwan's de facto embassy in the country, verified that the 14 Taiwanese citizens safely reached Jordanian territory on June 15. Concurrently, nine additional Taiwanese nationals are still in Iran, where ministry officials, Taiwan's overseas representatives, and staff at the Taipei Trade Center in Tehran — Taiwan's unofficial commercial mission in Iran — remain in constant communication to help facilitate departures for those seeking to leave the country.
Taiwan's foreign ministry has issued a strong warning about the volatile situation unfolding across the Middle East, explicitly urging Taiwanese citizens to cancel or postpone any non-essential travel to both Israel and Iran during this period of heightened military tension. For Taiwanese nationals already present in these countries or surrounding areas, officials have emphasized the critical importance of maintaining heightened awareness, following local security advisories, and prioritizing personal safety above all else. The ministry has established an emergency response team that continues to monitor regional developments around the clock, ready to provide assistance and coordinate evacuations if the conflict escalates further. ◼