Dhaka, June 21 -- Defence Forces (SDF) planes departed for eastern Africa on Saturday to stand by for a possible evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Middle East, as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate.

The C-2 transport aircraft left Miho Air Base in Tottori Prefecture, western Japan, carrying around 120 personnel, their Defence Ministry said. The aircraft will remain on standby at an SDF base in Djibouti.

According to Kyodo News, no evacuation flights are currently planned, as major airports in Israel and Iran remain closed.

The situation has intensified since Israeli strikes on Iran on June 13, prompting reciprocal attacks between the two nations. Tensions further heightened after US President Donald Trump sug...