New Zealand and Slovakia say they have temporarily closed their embassies in Tehran and flown out their diplomats due to worsening security in Iran.
The foreign ministry in Wellington says its diplomatic staff left Iran safely on commercial flights overnight, with the embassy’s operations moved to Ankara, Turkey.
Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar says its decision was prompted by the “significant” deterioration in security and the “real threat of an escalation of the military conflict.”
“At the moment, all diplomats and employees of the Slovakian embassy in Tehran are safe and out of danger,” he says in a statement.
New Zealand advises against all travel to Iran and has urged any citizens in the country to leave immediately, as its ability to give consular help was “extremely limited.”
The foreign ministry has also urged New Zealanders in the country to contact their relatives when they can, because severe communications challenges were making it hard for people to get in touch with family and friends.
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