New Zealand has “temporarily” closed its embassy in Tehran, Iran, and moved consular operations to Ankara, Turkey, officials in Wellington say Friday.
All New Zealand diplomatic staff left Iran on commercial flights during the past day, New Zealand’s foreign ministry says in a statement. The move follows remarks Thursday by Foreign Minister Winston Peters, who said his government 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 killing of protesters,” Peters posted on X.
The foreign ministry repeats official advice that New Zealanders should avoid travel to Iran and “leave now” if they are already there. It says the ability of New Zealand’s government to provide consular help to the country’s citizens in Iran was “extremely limited.”
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