On Sunday, Russia announced that it had evacuated several of its citizens from Iran and has temporarily suspended operations at its consulate in Tehran in response to Israeli attacks that prompted missile retaliation aimed at Israel.

According to a message posted on Telegram by the Russian embassy in Tehran, “In light of the current circumstances, the consular services at the embassy will be temporarily paused. An announcement regarding the resumption of these services will be made at a later time.”

Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova confirmed that members of the Tchaikovsky Grand Symphony Orchestra had been evacuated from Iran.

“The musicians successfully crossed into Azerbaijan. On Saturday, the film crew led by Fyodor Bondarchuk also departed Iran using the same route,” she noted in a Telegram update, mentioning the Russian director and actor.

Additionally, Russia’s civil aviation agency has instructed airlines to cease flights to both Iran and Israel, as well as to steer clear of airspace belonging to Jordan and Iraq, until at least June 26, following travel warnings issued the previous Friday.

In an unprecedented move, Israel conducted airstrikes against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure on Friday, stating that the goal was to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

In retaliation, Iran has launched several missile strikes directed at Israel.

President Vladimir Putin, who keeps diplomatic relations with both Iran and Israel, condemned the Israeli airstrikes, cautioning about the potential for a “dangerous escalation” in the Middle East.