Bulgaria has closed its embassy in Tehran and evacuated diplomatic staff and their families to neighboring Azerbaijan, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced. The decision comes as tensions between Iran and Israel continue to intensify, with Israel advising residents to evacuate a specific area in Tehran where the Bulgarian embassy is located “in the immediate vicinity”.
According to Zhelyazkov, the Bulgarian diplomatic staff and their families evacuated by car to Azerbaijan. The embassy will continue to operate from Baku, ensuring continuity of services despite the relocation.
The embassy of Bulgaria in Tehran is located at “Vali-ye Asr” Avenue, “Tavanir” Avenue, “Nezami-ye Ganjavi” Street 40, and can be contacted through telephone numbers +98 21 8877 5662 and +98 21 8877 5037, or via email. The consular section shares the same location, phone numbers, and email address as the embassy.
This move is part of a growing trend of countries reassessing their diplomatic presence in Iran amid escalating tensions. New Zealand recently closed its embassy in Tehran and evacuated staff members and their families overland to Azerbaijan, citing duty of care to its personnel. Azerbaijan itself had suspended its embassy operations in Tehran earlier, citing security concerns after a “terrorist” attack on its embassy.
The conflict between Iran and Israel has been escalating, with both countries trading attacks and counter-attacks. Israel has targeted Iranian nuclear sites and military installations, while Iran has launched missile strikes against Israel. The situation remains volatile, with diplomatic efforts underway to mitigate the conflict.
The decision to close the Bulgarian embassy in Tehran comes as tensions between Iran and Israel continue to escalate. Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov confirmed that the embassy’s proximity to a district in Tehran advised for evacuation by Israel prompted the relocation of diplomats to Azerbaijan. Despite the challenges, including a six-hour journey to the Azerbaijan border and a six-hour wait due to border inspections, the embassy will continue its diplomatic operations from Baku.
The situation in the region remains volatile, with countries like India issuing travel advisories for their citizens and tightening security at Israeli embassies. The conflict between Iran and Israel has led to a significant deterioration in relations, with both sides engaging in hostile actions. Bulgaria’s move is part of a broader trend of countries reassessing their diplomatic presence in the region due to security concerns.