By Emeka Blast 
Leave Iran Now, Australia Warns Its Citizens Amid Rising Tensions
The Australian government has issued an urgent advisory urging all its citizens in Iran to leave immediately “if it is safe to do so,” citing heightened risks of military conflict in the Middle East. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) escalated its travel warning for Iran to “Do Not Travel” (Level 4) on July 21, 2025, following ongoing regional instability after a US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel, implemented two weeks ago, showed signs of fragility. Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the volatile security situation, stating, “The risk of further military conflict remains high, and the situation could deteriorate with little notice.”
Approximately 3,200 Australians and their immediate family members have registered with DFAT’s Crisis Portal for assistance to leave Iran, where airspace remains closed due to recent conflicts. The government has secured limited seats on commercial flights from eastern Iran, particularly Mashhad, where airports are operational, but warned that “airport operations change at short notice.” DFAT has deployed officials to the Iran-Azerbaijan border to facilitate land crossings, though challenges persist due to unstable internet connectivity and crowded, risky routes to neighboring countries like Türkiye, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. “Australians should carefully assess the risks before attempting to leave by any route,” a DFAT spokesperson said.
The advisory follows Australia’s suspension of embassy operations in Tehran on June 20, 2025, with diplomatic staff evacuated to Azerbaijan amid Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Wong noted that consular services are “extremely limited” due to the closure, with support available through the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre and Smartraveller updates. Social media reactions on X, including posts like @upuknews1’s, “Australia again urges citizens to leave Iran,” reflect growing concern, while @SouleFacts highlighted the plight of Australian-Iranians facing delays at border crossings, amplifying calls for faster evacuation efforts.
The warning coincides with reports of Iran’s increased arrests and executions, raising fears for Australian-Iranians, some of whom face travel bans due to strict Islamic laws or custodial disputes. The Refugee Council of Australia has urged the government to include over 1,600 refugees with Humanitarian XB visas in evacuation plans, noting Iran’s hosting of 3.89 million displaced people, mostly Afghans. Only 57 Australians have been evacuated via commercial flights, with others, like 70-year-old Frances, facing medical emergencies and delays at the Azerbaijan border.
