Iran activates overland exit plan for Kenyans amid regional escalation

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Iran has put in place overland evacuation arrangements for Kenyan nationals who may wish to leave the country following a spike in hostilities in the region.

Iran’s Ambassador to Kenya, Ali Gholampour, said the government is working with diplomatic missions and relevant state agencies to facilitate the orderly departure of foreigners, including the few Kenyans currently in Iran.

According to the envoy, the designated “no-land exit corridors” are structured land routes coordinated with neighbouring states to allow safe cross-border movement at a time when air travel may face disruption.

“The embassies and also the minister of foreign affairs and all the relevant institutions and organisations are just providing all the necessary facilitations for them, those who are wishing to get out of the country through the no-land exit corridors,” he said.

Through these arrangements, Kenyans opting to leave can travel by road to neighbouring countries and then connect to onward transport back home or to other destinations.

Gholampour said the move is part of Iran’s broader measures to shield foreign nationals from the effects of the escalating conflict, stressing that civilian safety remains a priority.

“This is something that my government is providing to those foreigners that are willing to leave the country very safely,” he added.

The ambassador also dismissed fears of any spillover threat to Kenya, stating that Iran’s missile capability is confined to defensive objectives.

“Our missiles will not reach the Kenyan territory. This is good news because, you know, our government has deliberately, in order to show its intention, a peaceful intention to the war, that this missile’s capacity is only for defensive purposes,” he said.

He explained that Iran has capped its missile range at 2,000 kilometres, placing Kenya outside its operational scope.

Reaffirming diplomatic goodwill, the envoy expressed confidence in the longstanding relationship between Nairobi and Tehran, saying Iran values its historical and mutual ties with Kenya.

“We have had long historical, friendly and mutual relations, and we do our best to preserve that relation. And I do not believe that Kenya will provide such a facility to attack Iran from its land,” he said.

Iran, he maintained, is acting within its right to self-defence under international law and does not intend to widen the confrontation. Kenyan and Iranian officials remain in contact to ensure any citizens who choose to depart can do so safely and in an organised manner.