S. Korea Imposes Ban on Iran Travel Amid Middle East Crisis

(MENAFN) South Korea imposed a full travel ban on Iran Thursday as the Middle East conflict continues to spiral, while Australia moved to airlift its own citizens out of the region, underscoring the growing international alarm over escalating hostilities.

Seoul’s Foreign Ministry escalated its alert status for Iran from a Level 3 advisory — urging nationals to depart — to an outright travel ban, according to a report by media. The prohibition came into force at 6 pm local time (0900 GMT).

The ministry issued a stern warning that any South Korean national found visiting or remaining in Iran without official authorization could face legal penalties, and called on those with travel plans to Iran to cancel them immediately.

South Korea has already launched evacuation operations for its citizens across the region, successfully relocating 140 nationals to safety thus far. However, approximately 2,000 short-term South Korean travelers remain stranded in the United Arab Emirates due to widespread flight disruptions.

Separately, Australia dispatched two military transport aircraft to the Middle East to facilitate the evacuation of its own nationals, media reported.

The flurry of international emergency measures comes as the U.S.-Israeli offensive on Iran — ongoing since Saturday — has killed at least 926 people, among them Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and senior military commanders. Tehran has responded with sustained drone and missile strikes directed at Israel and Gulf states hosting U.S. military forces.

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