New Zealand has temporarily closed its embassy in Iran and evacuated all diplomatic staff, citing what it described as a worsening security situation, officials said on Friday.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said all New Zealand staff had left Iran safely on commercial flights overnight and that operations had been shifted to Ankara.
The ministry said its ability to provide consular assistance to New Zealanders in Iran was now “extremely limited” and warned that ongoing communications disruptions were making it hard for people to contact family and friends.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said earlier this week that New Zealand was “appalled” by the escalation of violence and repression in the country, and condemned a crackdown by Iranian security forces that he said included the killing of protesters.Severe communication disruptions inside Iran continued to make it difficult for people to contact family and friends, the ministry said. New Zealanders who manage to make contact are urged to reassure loved ones of their safety.
“New Zealanders in need of urgent consular assistance should contact the New Zealand Embassy in Ankara or MFAT’s 24/7 Consular Emergency Call Centre on +64 99 20 20 20. MFAT is in close contact with a range of other countries regarding the evolving security situation in Iran.”
There were 46 New Zealanders registered on SafeTravel as being in Iran.
The United Kingdom also temporarily closed its embassy in the capital Tehran earlier this week and evacuated all staff.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said yesterday that New Zealand was “appalled” by the escalation of violence and repression in Iran.
“We condemn the brutal crackdown being carried out by Iran’s security forces, including the killig of protesters.
“Iranians have the right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and access to information – and that right is currently being brutally repressed.”
Peters said New Zealand had expressed “serious concerns” to the Iranian Embassy in Wellington and would continue to do so.
“We continue to urge all New Zealanders in Iran to leave now if it is safe for them to do so.”
The Government’s advice to New Zealanders since November 2024 has been not to travel to Iran, owing to the “volatile security situation in the region, the risk of arbitrary arrest or detention and the potential for violent civil unrest”.
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