Kazakhstan advises citizens to avoid travel to Iran, several African nations

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a strong advisory for its citizens to reconsider travel plans to Iran and a number of African nations. The ministry cited "elevated risks," including unstable political situations and challenging epidemiological conditions, as the basis for its recommendations.

First Deputy Foreign Minister Yerzhan Ashikbayev detailed the concerns, specifically mentioning the "difficult epidemiological situation in African countries" and the "conflict in the Middle East." He urged citizens to avoid Iran and "a number of African countries," underscoring that these are "strong recommendations."

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There is a difficult epidemiological situation in African countries. The conflict in the Middle East is well known to everyone. These are all our strong recommendations. At present, we do not recommend Iran. We do not recommend visiting a number of African countries.

The ministry also reiterated the importance of adhering to local laws, reminding citizens that "the laws of the host country they are traveling to are mandatory." This reminder comes as Kazakhstanis abroad are expected to comply fully with the legal frameworks of their destinations.

This advisory follows previous recommendations made in March, which advised against travel to several Middle Eastern countries due to instability. Egypt was later removed from that list on March 27, with the ministry citing improved conditions and operational infrastructure, particularly in airports and tourist areas. Meanwhile, India's Health Ministry recently tightened checks and advised its citizens to avoid the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan due to an Ebola outbreak.

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Citizens of Kazakhstan must clearly understand: the laws of the host country they are traveling to are mandatory, and there can be no two opinions about this. When our citizens travel abroad, they are obliged to comply with the laws of the host country.