Against the backdrop of a sharp escalation of the situation in Iran, the UK government took an emergency decision to temporarily close its embassy in Tehran.
“We have temporarily closed the British Embassy in Tehran. It will now operate remotely,” the British Foreign Office press service said.
According to official sources, the British ambassador and all diplomatic and consular staff were urgently evacuated from the country. The decision was made based on an assessment of security risks and the priority of protecting diplomatic mission staff.
The embassy closure comes amid the largest anti-government protests in Iran in decades, which began in late December 2025 and have led to the deaths of more than 2,400–2,500 people, according to various estimates. The mass demonstrations have been met with harsh repression by security forces.
The situation is further complicated by a sharp escalation of tensions in the Middle East: the US has withdrawn some of its personnel from military bases in the region, and President Donald Trump has made a series of harsh statements against Tehran, including threats of military response. Iran, in turn, has closed its airspace to most civilian flights and put its air defense forces on high alert.
At the same time, the UK Foreign Office has significantly tightened its recommendations for its citizens:
All travel to Iran is prohibited.
British nationals currently in the country are strongly advised to leave immediately.
It is stated that consular assistance on the ground is not available in the event of an emergency.
The situation remains extremely tense. Many analysts consider the coming hours and days to be critical for further developments in the region.