New Zealanders in Iran and Lebanon have been urged by the Government to “leave now” amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
“The New Zealand Government urges New Zealanders in Lebanon and Iran to leave now while options remain available,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on X this afternoon.
“We also recommend New Zealanders in Israel consider whether they need to remain in the country.”
Earlier this week, a ‘do not travel’ advisory – the highest of four levels of risk – was issued by government website SafeTravel for Lebanon due to the “volatile security situation and the risk of the security situation deteriorating further”.
Hamas’ political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran and a top Hezbollah commander was killed in Lebanon earlier this week, sparking fears of an all-out war in the Middle East.
The website said: “We now advise that New Zealanders do not travel to Lebanon. If you are currently in Lebanon, we encourage you to leave now via commercial options.”
Commercial options for departing the country could be “severely disrupted” or cancelled at short notice.
Airports and airlines may pause or cancel operations at short notice and road transportation could also be “severely disrupted”, it said.
“New Zealanders who wish to depart Lebanon are responsible for their own departure.”
A ‘do not travel’ advisory has since been updated to include Iran “due to the potential for violent civil unrest, the risk of arbitrary arrest or detention and the volatile security situation in the region”.
SafeTravel warned increased tensions in the country “may also result in airspace closures, flight cancellations and diversions and other travel disruptions”.
The ability of the New Zealand Government to provide assistance to citizens was “extremely limited” in Iran, it said, and there is no New Zealand diplomatic presence in Lebanon.
‘Leave now’: Travel warning for New Zealanders in Lebanon
“Tensions are high and the security situation could deteriorate further with little warning.”
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told 1News there were 18 New Zealanders currently registered as being in Lebanon.
