On Sunday, the Foreign Office “absolutely” advised against all travel to Iran due to the domestic situation in the country, as well as growing regional tensions and security threats.
“Given the domestic context in which the country finds itself, as well as the growing regional tensions and security threats, any travel to Iran is strongly discouraged,” said a message published on Portal das Comunidades Portuguesas.
The Foreign Ministry also advises Portuguese people in Iran to “stay away from the country if possible until the situation returns to a less dangerous climate.”
“Portuguese citizens in the country must absolutely refrain from participating in any demonstrations or gatherings and stay away from the streets and places where they are taking place,” the government warns, and also advises “absolutely not accepting Portuguese citizens in the country on any trip to Sistan-Baluchestan province, as well as trips near the borders of Afghanistan and Iraq.”
Regions bordering Armenia and Azerbaijan should also be avoided, especially near the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.
The ministry reminds that in such situations there is always a risk of Iran’s airspace being closed or flights by many companies being cancelled, as well as communication outside the country being restricted and social networks being blocked.
Photographic or other recordings are also not recommended, especially in any obviously non-tourist area. “Citizens of the country who are in Iranian territory must notify their presence by e-mail to the Consular Section of the Portuguese Embassy in Tehran sconsular.teerao@mne.pt, indicating their itinerary and emergency contacts,” the same note says.
The sudden rise in tensions between Israel, Iran and its regional allies follows Israel’s claimed killing of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Choqra and the death in Tehran of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in an attack attributed to Israel.
Several countries, including France, the United States and Britain, have asked their citizens to leave Lebanon this weekend, fearing an escalation in the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
Hezbollah supports the Palestinian Hamas, which is based in the Gaza Strip and has been at war with Israel since the unprecedented attack on the Jewish state on October 7.