Investigation of official sources reveals that closures of European embassies in Iran are not new developments but date back to the start of the 12-day conflict, with only the German ambassador’s mission ending recently, Jahan-e Sanat reported on August 18.
Review of updates published on official websites of European embassies in Tehran shows that currently only two embassies—Germany and Austria—are in closed status. These closures, contrary to some interpretations and media republications, are not new developments but have been suspended since the start of the 12-day conflict and have not been reopened since.
The only recorded development regarding Germany’s embassy in recent days was the official end of the German ambassador’s mission in Iran, which was announced yesterday. This incident is unrelated to the embassy’s operational status and from a diplomatic perspective is considered a routine structural change.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry in Berlin provided explanations about the temporary closure of the country’s embassy in Iran and announced that arrangements have been made for issuing necessary humanitarian and medical visas, Didban Iran reported on August 17.
In response to Deutsche Welle Persian’s questions, Germany’s Foreign Ministry said: “Germany’s embassy in Tehran will remain temporarily closed to visitors. However, the Federal Foreign Ministry intends to resume visitor traffic depending on further security developments. Important steps have been taken in recent days to resume the embassy’s basic activities.”
The ministry added that it is seriously trying to resume the visa issuance process in Tehran, with updated information about the visa process to be published soon on the embassy website.
Regarding pending visa applications, the Foreign Ministry noted: “Given the large number of pending visa applications in Iran, transferring all these applications to another foreign representation in the short term is not possible. Arrangements have been made for humanitarian or medical emergencies so that such visa applications can be made possible in a third country.”