The circumstances in Iran are still volatile and potentially hazardous for visitors from other countries.
Iran / © Associated Press
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Ukrainian citizens to depart from the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, given the marked decline in the country’s safety and security.
This is indicated in the department’s official communication.
“In light of the worsening security environment within the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine suggests that Ukrainian nationals evacuate Iranian territory,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared in their statement.
At present, exiting Iran is achievable via several avenues: via Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran, as well as through land border crossings into Armenia (Norduz/Agarak) and Turkey (Bazorgan/Serow).
Ukrainians are requested to heed the directions of local authorities, abstain from confrontations with law enforcement personnel, and maintain composure.
What’s currently understood about the state of affairs in Iran?
Demonstrations in Iran began in late December due to an economic downturn and the weakening of the national currency. Per human rights advocates, the demonstrations have spread to over 270 locales across 27 of Iran’s 31 provinces. Casualties from conflicts between security forces and demonstrators in Iran total at least 36 individuals. Besides the fatalities, more than 1,200 individuals have been taken into custody.
The Grand Bazaar in Tehran was a key focal point of the protests. Witnesses recounted that security personnel employed tear gas to scatter demonstrators following widespread store closures by merchants.
Protests in Iran / © Associated Press
The nation’s economic climate is swiftly deteriorating. The Iranian rial has depreciated to a historic nadir of over 1.46 million per US dollar. The central bank has curtailed a subsidized exchange rate for importers, which has already triggered a steep escalation in the prices of essential commodities, including cooking oil, poultry, and dairy products.