BEIJING, Feb 27: The China government has issued an urgent advisory urging its citizens in Iran to evacuate “as soon as possible” and to avoid travel to the country, citing a sharp deterioration in the security environment amid escalating tensions with the United States.
In a statement released on Friday, China’s foreign ministry said that Chinese nationals currently in Iran should “strengthen safety precautions and evacuate as soon as possible,” reflecting growing concern over regional instability and the risk of a larger military confrontation. Chinese embassies and consulates in Iran and neighbouring countries have been instructed to provide assistance to citizens seeking to leave via commercial flights or land routes.
The advisory comes amid a broader international response to mounting fears of conflict. On the same day, several Western nations — including the United States and the United Kingdom — took steps to reduce their diplomatic presence or advised their citizens to depart from vulnerable posts in the Middle East.
Washington has significantly increased its military footprint in the region in recent weeks and has publicly signalled the possibility of force if nuclear negotiations with Tehran remain deadlocked. Iran has warned that any military action would be met with retaliation, raising the prospect of wider confrontation.
Beijing’s alert marks a rare public acknowledgment of the seriousness with which it views the security outlook in Iran, a country with which China maintains strong strategic and economic ties. The advisory not only stresses immediate safety precautions but also reflects Chinese authorities’ assessment that geopolitical risks in the region have intensified beyond routine diplomatic concerns.
The situation remains fluid, and foreign governments are continuing to update travel advisories for their citizens in the Middle East as diplomatic and military pressures mount.
