WELLINGTON: New Zealand said Friday it has temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran and flown out its diplomatic staff because of deteriorating security in Iran.
All diplomatic staff were flown out of Iran on commercial flights overnight, with operations temporarily relocated to Ankara, Turkey, where officials will continue to work remotely, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry said.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand was “appalled” by the escalation of violence and repression in Iran.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) warned that its ability to provide consular support to New Zealanders still in Iran is now extremely limited. Citizens remaining in the country are urged to leave immediately while commercial travel options remain available.
The closure follows a similar move by the United Kingdom earlier this week. The unrest in Iran has been fuelled by economic hardship and has been met with a nationwide internet blackout and severe communication disruptions. In addition, US President Donald Trump has warned that all options remain on the table in response to the regime’s treatment of protesters.
The protests in Iran began in late December 2025, initially sparked by widespread economic hardship, including the sharp devaluation of the national currency, rising inflation and deteriorating living conditions.
Demonstrations soon spread across many cities, drawing people from diverse backgrounds voicing both economic and political grievances. Iranian authorities responded with a crackdown, resulting in reported deaths and mass arrests, and imposed a near‑total internet and communications blackout, making independent verification of events difficult.
