Iranians already in Belgium told to avoid protest areas as ministry issues warning

Iran's foreign ministry has advised its citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Belgium, France and Italy, citing what it described as the "intensification of unrest and disruption of public order" in the three countries. The advisory was issued on Monday as violent protests continued in France, and it also gives guidance to Iranians already there.

Key facts

• The advisory was issued by Iran's foreign ministry on Monday, the article published on 20 October 2026 reports
• Countries covered: Belgium, France and Italy
• Guidance: avoid non-essential travel to the three countries
• Iranians already in those countries are told to avoid tense areas and conflict zones
• In France, at least two people have died and at least 2,000 people have been arrested during the protests
• No expiry date or end point for the advisory is stated

What does the advisory tell Iranian travellers to do?

The ministry asked Iranian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to France, Belgium and Italy. For compatriots already in the three countries, the advice is to stay away from tense areas and conflict zones and to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in unstable areas.

The guidance is an advisory rather than a travel ban. The source does not state how long it will remain in force, and it does not mention any change to visas, passports or entry rules for any nationality.

Who is affected?

The advisory is aimed at Iranian citizens, both those planning trips to the three countries and those already there. It refers to unrest in France, Belgium and Italy collectively, but the source gives detail on the situation in France only and does not describe events in Belgium or Italy.

What is happening in France?

The ministry's warning came as France faced increasingly violent protests, driven in part by a cost-of-living crisis that the source says was worsened by the Israeli-US war on Iran. At least two people have died during the protests and police have arrested at least 2,000 people.

Reports of serious injuries among protesters include two people who lost their hands to stun grenades. Authorities in French cities have banned protests, and the government has refused to rule out a state of emergency that would expand police powers to conduct searches and make arrests. Amnesty International has condemned French police for using what it called unnecessary and disproportionate force against the mainly student protesters.

Why was the warning issued?

The advisory follows a diplomatic clash between Tehran and Paris. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised French President Emmanuel Macron on X over his stance on the war against Iran, and Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei accused France on 6 October of double standards over protest rights. On 7 October, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot summoned Iran's ambassador to France over what Paris described as a disinformation campaign about the French student movement.

What this means for travellers

Iranian passport holders planning trips to Belgium, France or Italy should review whether their travel is essential before making plans, in line with the advisory. Those already in the three countries are advised to steer clear of tense areas and to limit unnecessary movement in unstable areas. No changes to entry documents or border rules are mentioned in the advisory.

No end date for the warning has been announced, and the source notes that the French government has not ruled out a state of emergency that would widen police powers.