Fleeing Iran: Western countries urge their citizens to leave immediately
Several Western countries have urged their citizens to leave Iran “immediately,” amid ongoing protests in the country and assessments suggesting that the United States may be preparing to strike.
The United States is among the leading countries calling on its nationals to leave Iran. A statement from the US virtual embassy in Tehran said that Washington has urged its citizens to depart without delay and advised them to consider leaving overland to Turkey or Armenia.
The statement said: “US citizens should leave Iran now. We advise them to consider departing Iran overland to Turkey or Armenia, if it is safe to do so.”
Protests began on December 28 with a strike by merchants in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar and have since spread to other parts of the country.
US President Donald Trump has threatened to strike Iran if it suppresses the protesters.
A few days ago, Trump said the United States was “fully prepared” and “on standby to intervene” if protesters were killed, as large numbers of people took to the streets.
Since then, Trump has continued to signal the military option, even after human rights organizations reported hundreds of deaths.
On Tuesday, Trump encouraged Iranian protesters to continue their demonstrations, saying that “help is on the way.”
Australia
Australia early on urged its citizens to “leave Iran as soon as possible.” Last week, in an update to its travel advice, it said: “If you are in Iran, you should depart at the earliest opportunity.”
The government added in a statement: “The country is experiencing ongoing violent protests nationwide, which may escalate without warning. The security situation is volatile.”
Sweden
Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on its citizens to leave Iran immediately and advised against travel to the country.
Poland
On Wednesday, Poland’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged its citizens to leave Iran immediately.
In a post on the X platform, it said: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges immediate departure from Iran and advises against all travel there.”
Italy
Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Rome has renewed its appeal to Italian nationals to leave Iran due to the deteriorating security situation.
In a statement, it noted that around 600 Italians are currently in Iran, most of them in the Tehran area.
India
The Indian government called on its citizens currently in Iran to leave the country as soon as possible.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stressed to her Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, during a phone call on Monday, the need to ensure the safety of British nationals.
Politico reported that the British embassy in Tehran has temporarily closed its premises.
Germany
In Berlin, German authorities issued a new notice to airlines warning them against entering Iranian airspace.
