Staff at Australia’s embassy in Iran have been told to go to neighbouring Azerbaijan.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the staff needed to be moved from Iran’s capital city, Tehran, due to the “deteriorating security environment.”
On Thursday, Wong said 1,500 Australians are trying to leave Iran, while a further 1,200 have requested help getting out of Israel.
Background
Last week, the UN’s nuclear watchdog raised concerns that Iran was not able to show evidence “its nuclear material was not being diverted for... military use”.
The following day, Israel struck nuclear and military targets across Iran, including residences of military officials in Tehran apartment buildings. Iran struck back on Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Haifa.
Iranian authorities report 224 people have been killed, including civilians and military officials. Its death toll hasn’t been updated for five days, however. Israeli authorities report 24 civilians have been killed.
Iran security
Smartraveller, Australia’s official advice for overseas travel, has advised Australians against travelling to Iran.
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Iran’s airspace is also closed due to the risk of missile strikes.
Iran has cut off the internet over the past two days, according to the UK-based cybersecurity monitoring group NetBlocks.
In a social media post earlier this week, U.S. President Donald Trump told Tehran’s 9.7 million residents to evacuate the city.
Australia
Australia’s embassy in Tehran has now closed. Diplomats and staff are moving to Azerbaijan, which borders Iran to the north.
In a statement, Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Australians in Iran to leave “if it is safe.”
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said it has sent extra staff to Azerbaijan to help Australians trying to cross the border.
It follows similar moves by New Zealand and Switzerland to shut their embassies.
