Portugal temporarily closes embassy in Iran amid protests, security risks

The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to temporarily close the country’s embassy in Iran amid ongoing protests and escalating security risks.

The ministry cited worsening security conditions in the region, noting that risk assessments indicate the situation in Iran poses a significant threat to foreign nationals, Caliber.Az reports per Portuguese media.

Portuguese authorities have advised citizens in Iran to leave the country. Those who choose to stay are urged to remain vigilant, while travellers planning to visit Iran are recommended to postpone their trips.

Nationwide protests erupted in Iran on December 28, 2025, initially over a sharp economic collapse and the plunging value of the Iranian rial, quickly spreading across major cities and evolving into one of the largest anti‑government movements since 1979, with demonstrators criticising inflation, unemployment and calling for systemic change.

The Iranian government’s response has involved a brutal security crackdown, including the use of live ammunition, widespread arrests, and extensive restrictions on communications that have hindered media reporting and intensified international human rights concerns. 

International organisations and rights groups have documented unlawful use of force by security units against largely peaceful protesters in multiple cities, noting mass injuries, arrests, deaths, and serious violations of civil liberties amid ongoing unrest.

By Jeyhun Aghazada