Bulgaria Closes Tehran Embassy, Evacuates Staff to Azerbaijan
Bulgaria Closes Tehran Embassy, Evacuates Staff to Azerbaijan
Published by Living in Tehran Magazine | 21 June 2025
Bulgaria has closed its embassy in Tehran and evacuated diplomatic staff and their families to neighbouring Azerbaijan as the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov told local media on Friday.
Embassy Closure and Evacuation
🚨 Complete Evacuation
The Bulgarian embassy is closed and 12 people from the embassy and their families were evacuated after Israel advised residents to evacuate the third district of Tehran.
Prime Minister’s Statement
Location-Based Decision
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov explained the decision was based on the embassy’s proximity to areas advised for evacuation.
🎙️ Official Statement
“The Bulgarian embassy is in the immediate vicinity of this area and we decided to have our diplomats leave the country. The embassy would continue to operate from Baku.”
– Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov
Evacuation Details
Journey to Azerbaijan
The evacuation involved a challenging 12-hour journey to safety in Azerbaijan.
🚗 Evacuation Journey
Personnel Evacuated:
- Total evacuees: 12 people
- Composition: Embassy staff and their families
- Destination: Azerbaijan
Journey Timeline:
- Convoy travel: 6 hours driving to border
- Border processing: 6 hours waiting for checks
- Total duration: 12 hours
Embassy Contact Information
📞 Former Tehran Embassy Details
Location (Now Evacuated):
No. 40, Nezami Ganjavi St.
Shahid Dr. Abbaspour St.
Vali-Asr Ave, Tehran, Iran
Contact Information (Inactive):
- Phone 1: 8877 56 62
- Phone 2: 8877 50 37
- Fax: 8877 96 80
- Email: embassy.tehran@mfa.bg
Note: These contact details are no longer active due to embassy evacuation
Visa Section Operations
📋 Previous Visa Services Schedule
Operating Days: Sunday through Thursday
Service Hours (When Active):
- Applying for Visa: 08:30 – 12:00
- Collecting Passport: 13:00 – 16:00
قسمت کنسولگری
یکشنبه تا پنجشنبه
برای درخواست ویزا: ۰۸:۳۰ الی ۱۲:۰۰
برای گرفتن گذرنامه: ۱۳:۰۰ الی ۱۶:۰۰
Note: All visa services suspended due to embassy closure
Operational Continuity
Baku-Based Operations
Despite the closure in Tehran, Bulgarian diplomatic operations continue from Azerbaijan’s capital.
🏢 Relocated Operations
The embassy would continue to operate from Baku, Azerbaijan.
Operational Arrangements:
- New base: Baku, Azerbaijan
- Staff status: Safely relocated
- Service continuity: Maintained through remote operations
- Regional coordination: Enhanced through Azerbaijan base
Service Impact:
- Visa applications: Suspended from Tehran location
- Consular services: Redirected to Baku operations
- Emergency assistance: Available through Azerbaijan base
- Document processing: Coordinated remotely
Security Assessment Context
Third District Evacuation Advisory
The decision followed Israel’s advisory for residents to evacuate Tehran’s third district, where the Bulgarian embassy was located.
🎯 Location Vulnerability
The embassy’s proximity to areas under evacuation advisory prompted the immediate decision to relocate diplomatic personnel to ensure their safety.
Regional Diplomatic Strategy
Azerbaijan as Safe Haven
Bulgaria’s choice of Azerbaijan as the evacuation destination and new operational base reflects strategic regional positioning.
Strategic Benefits:
- Geographic proximity: Accessible border crossing from Iran
- Regional stability: Secure environment for continued operations
- Diplomatic infrastructure: Existing facilities in Baku
- Communication capability: Maintained liaison with Iran
Border Crossing Experience
Extended Processing Time
The evacuation highlighted the challenges of diplomatic movement during crisis conditions.
🛂 Border Crossing Challenges
The six-hour wait at the border for processing checks demonstrates the increased security measures and administrative procedures during the current crisis situation.
Family Inclusion Policy
Comprehensive Evacuation
Bulgaria’s decision to evacuate both diplomatic staff and their families reflects a comprehensive approach to personnel safety.
Evacuation Scope:
- Diplomatic personnel: All embassy staff
- Family members: Dependents included in evacuation
- Total count: 12 individuals safely relocated
- Support structure: Maintaining family units during crisis
Diplomatic Relations Impact
Continued Engagement
The relocation to Baku ensures Bulgaria maintains diplomatic engagement capabilities with Iran whilst prioritising personnel safety.
🤝 Diplomatic Continuity
Operating from Azerbaijan allows Bulgaria to:
- Maintain diplomatic communications with Iran
- Coordinate with regional partners
- Monitor developments for potential return
- Provide consular services when possible
Comparison with Other Responses
Regional Evacuation Strategy
Bulgaria’s evacuation to a neighbouring country differs from other nations that have withdrawn staff to home countries, demonstrating a regional approach to maintaining diplomatic presence.
Unique Aspects:
- Regional relocation: Rather than complete withdrawal
- Convoy evacuation: Overland route to safety
- Family-inclusive policy: Comprehensive personnel protection
- Operational continuity: Maintained through regional base
Living in Tehran Magazine continues to monitor diplomatic responses to the crisis. Bulgarian nationals requiring consular assistance should contact the embassy’s operations now based in Baku, Azerbaijan.
