European countries including Italy, Poland, Germany and Spain urged their citizens to leave Iran on Wednesday over security concerns amid ongoing anti-government protests in the country.
About 600 Italians are in Iran, mostly in Tehran, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, adding that Rome strongly reiterates its call to Italian citizens in Iran to leave the country.
In a social media alert, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised all citizens not to travel to Iran.
Germany also warned citizens not to travel to Iran and urged those already in that country to return.
“There is a risk of arbitrary arrest,” the German embassy in Tehran said.
“Due to the very unstable situation in Iran and the region, travel to Iran is strongly discouraged. Spaniards currently in Iran are advised to leave the country using available means,” the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Iran has been rocked by waves of protests since last month, starting on December 28 in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, due to the sudden fall of the Iranian rial and deteriorating economic conditions. The demonstrations later spread to several other cities.
