New Zealand shuts Tehran embassy, evacuates all diplomatic staff

New Zealand has temporarily closed its embassy in Iran and evacuated all diplomatic staff, citing a rapidly deteriorating security environment as unrest intensifies across the country.

Officials said all New Zealand personnel departed Iran safely on commercial flights overnight, with embassy operations relocated to Ankara, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

The move leaves Wellington’s capacity to assist its citizens on the ground “extremely limited,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said, adding that widespread communications disruptions are complicating contact with family members and consular services.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters earlier condemned what he described as an escalation of violence and repression by Iranian authorities, saying security forces had killed protesters during a crackdown on demonstrations. New Zealand is “appalled” by the developments, Peters said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev