Spain urges citizens to leave Iran “by any available means”; Italy also advises departure

SABN

MADRID/ROME, January 14, 2026 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) – Spain advised its citizens on Wednesday to leave Iran using “any available means” and strongly discouraged travel to the country, in an updated travel advisory.

Spain’s foreign ministry also urged Spanish nationals in Iran not to take part in protests and warned against taking photos or videos of demonstrations or official buildings, saying such activity outside tourist areas could be viewed with suspicion by the authorities. It also recommended avoiding photos or videos of military or government installations and avoiding public expression of political or religious views, including on social media.

The advisory came as Italy also urged its citizens to leave Iran and said it was taking measures to protect its troops in the Middle East, including in Iraq and Kuwait.

Italy’s foreign ministry said there were around 600 Italians in Iran, mostly concentrated in the Tehran area, and that more than 900 members of the Italian armed forces were deployed in the region, including about 500 in Iraq and 400 in Kuwait.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani reiterated that protecting Italian nationals was the priority and called for constant monitoring of the regional security situation, the ministry said. It condemned what it described as violent repression of demonstrations and serious human rights violations in Iran, and said Italy would work with partners in the European Union, the Atlantic Alliance and the G7 to support efforts to de-escalate and promote regional stability and security.

Source: Spanish foreign ministry / Italian Foreign Ministry