South Korea urges citizens to leave Iran amid rising tensions

The South Korean Embassy in Iran has urged its citizens to leave the country at the earliest opportunity amid escalating tensions and reports of a potential U.S. military strike on Tehran.

“We advise Korean citizens to depart Iran when flights are available,” Caliber.Az cites a statement on the embassy’s official website.

The notice warned that in the event of a sudden deterioration in the situation, private flights to and from Iran could be suspended.

South Korea has maintained a Level 3 travel advisory for Iran, strongly recommending that its citizens leave the country.

The embassy further advised, “We urge Korean citizens currently in Iran to leave immediately if there are no urgent matters, and those planning to travel to Iran to cancel or postpone their trip.”

Tensions between the United States and Iran have risen in recent months amid stalled nuclear negotiations and ongoing regional conflicts. U.S. officials have warned that military options remain on the table if diplomatic efforts fail, while Iran has continued missile tests and maintained its nuclear enrichment activities.

In January, Iran faced widespread protests that were violently suppressed, drawing international criticism. Washington and Tehran have engaged intermittently in negotiations aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal, but progress has been slow.

Recent U.S. troop deployments in the Gulf and statements from Washington signaling readiness for military action have prompted several countries, including South Korea, to issue heightened travel advisories for Iran.

By Khagan Isayev