The Chinese government has issued a warning for its citizens to evacuate Iran, citing a deterioration in the security situation and increasing external risks. This directive was communicated through the Chinese embassy in Tehran.
According to the embassy, Iran has recently faced a significant rise in external security threats, prompting other nations to similarly advise their citizens to exit the country.
“In light of the current security situation in Iran, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese embassy and consulates in Iran recommend that Chinese citizens refrain from traveling to Iran and urge those already in the country to enhance their security measures and evacuate as soon as possible,” the embassy stated.
The Chinese diplomatic missions in Iran and neighboring countries are prepared to assist citizens in their relocation through commercial flights or ground transportation.
Earlier the same day, the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also advised its citizens to avoid travel to Iran and to leave the country immediately if it is safe to do so.
Background on the Situation in Iran
Protests erupted in Iran on December 28 in response to soaring prices and the devaluation of the national currency. These demonstrations have since evolved into broader opposition against the theocratic regime that has governed the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for the protests, threatening to assist demonstrators if the unrest continues and they face repression. He stated that the U.S. would be “on high alert.” In response, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei declared that Iran would not yield to its adversaries. The U.S. has imposed new sanctions on Iran and deployed an aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East amid rising tensions.
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran’s last Shah, has called on Iranians to seize government institutions and urged the diaspora to replace the Islamic Republic’s flags at embassies with national flags. He promised that if the Khamenei regime falls, he would abandon the nuclear program and recognize Israel.
Countries including Poland, the U.S., and Sweden have advised their citizens to leave Iran, while France has evacuated some of its diplomats. The United Kingdom has imposed new sanctions against Iran and temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran, a move echoed by Ukraine.
The Iranian authorities have confirmed the deaths of 5,000 individuals during the protests. The human rights group HRANA has reported 3,308 confirmed fatalities and over 24,000 arrests, with an additional 4,382 death cases under verification.
Meanwhile, unverified estimates suggest that the death toll could range from 2,000 to 20,000. The verification of these figures is complicated by a nationwide internet shutdown, which has rendered independent access to information virtually impossible. According to NetBlocks, 99% of internet connections in Iran have been blocked since the evening of January 8.
The Chinese government has advised its citizens to evacuate Iran due to escalating security risks, following similar advisories from Canada and other nations. Protests in Iran have led to significant unrest and numerous casualties, further complicating the security landscape.