The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation has recommended that Spaniards who are in Iran leave the country “using the available means”, while at the same time it has advised against traveling to the area due to the situation of “great instability” that exists in the region.
The department headed by José Manuel Albares has updated travel recommendations to Iran, indicating that the situation is “unstable throughout the country.” The NGO Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) has put this Wednesday at more than 3,400 dead and “thousands” more injured as a result of the repression by the security forces of the Central Asian country during the anti-government protests that began more than two weeks ago.
From Foreign Affairs they have recalled that “communications have been cut off since last January 8, including the Internet and the incoming telephone calls from abroad.”
In this context, the Ministry has recalled that the majority of airlines have suspended their operations, so it is recommended to “verify with the airline the situation of air connections since these may be modified by the evolution of the situation.” Thus, he stressed that the borders with Armenia, Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan “are open for foreign citizens.”
Foreign Affairs has also recommended remaining attentive to the social networks and other means of communication of the Spanish Embassy in Tehran, once Internet communications are reestablished. He explained that “cuts in communications and the Internet, now blocked, are frequent” and that messaging systems such as WhatsApp and social networks such as Facebook, X or Instagram “are blocked.” “This can mean being left incommunicado for long periods of time,” he noted.
On the other hand, the Ministry also “absolutely advises against mixing in demonstrations of any kind, taking photos or videos of them, as well as any official building.” “We must keep in mind that, at this time, any citizen who takes photos or videos outside tourist areas may be suspicious for these authorities,” he said.
He has also “strongly” asked not to take photos or videos of military or government installations, nor to speak publicly about political or religious issues, even through social networks. “Several European citizens have been arrested and sentenced to prison terms for these reasons,” he recalled.
Finally, Foreign Affairs has indicated that foreigners residing in Iran with a work permit “must process an exit authorization every time they wish to leave the country.” Said permit, as detailed by the Ministry, “must be managed by the company for which you work with sufficient notice.”
“The Embassy does not have any capacity to authorize the departure from Iran of Spanish citizens who are here, since it is a matter that depends entirely on the Iranian authorities and law,” he added.
Albares demanded this Monday that the Iranian authorities stop the violence against the protesters and respect their freedom of demonstration, while he was against a possible intervention by the United States because he considers that it is not what the Central Asian country needs now.
