New Zealand has temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran and evacuated its diplomats due to worsening security conditions in Iran, the country’s foreign ministry said on Friday.
A spokesperson for the ministry confirmed that diplomatic staff left Iran safely on commercial flights overnight. Embassy operations have been relocated to Ankara, Turkey, because of the “deteriorating security situation” in Tehran.
“We continue to advise against all travel to Iran. Any New Zealanders currently in the country should leave now,” the spokesperson said, noting that consular assistance for citizens in Iran is “extremely limited” due to the situation.
Severe communication challenges are also affecting the ability of residents to contact family and friends, the ministry added, urging New Zealanders in Iran to reach out to relatives when possible.
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Foreign Minister Winston Peters condemned the Iranian authorities’ response to nationwide anti-government protests. “We condemn the brutal crackdown being carried out by Iran’s security forces, including the killing of protesters,” Peters said, describing the actions as a violation of the rights to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and access to information.
New Zealand has conveyed its “serious concerns” directly to the Iranian embassy in Wellington and intends to continue diplomatic engagement over the matter.