L. ZOCHIOU: Good morning and welcome to today’s special briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is devoted exclusively to developments in Iran and the Middle East.
I will begin with a statement regarding Greece’s position on the latest developments:
Greece is closely monitoring developments in Iran and the Middle East.
We express our concern about the situation in the region. We call on all parties to immediately de-escalate and exercise restraint, in order to prevent a regional conflagration with potentially serious consequences for international peace and security.
We call for full respect for International Law, including the UN Charter.
We support diplomacy. Sustainable solutions to the region’s security challenges can only be achieved through negotiations and diplomatic means.
Greece has repeatedly expressed its strong concern regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Full compliance with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency are essential. It is also widely acknowledged that full oversight of its nuclear and ballistic programs constitutes a prerequisite for regional stability.
Greece attaches particular importance to maritime security in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Red Sea. We are concerned by reports regarding a possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz. We call on all parties to refrain from any action that could jeopardize freedom of navigation, the safety of seafarers, threaten global trade and supply chains, and flagrantly violate the International Law of the Sea.
The protection of civilians and respect for International Humanitarian Law remain absolute priorities. Compliance by all UN Member States with the UN Charter, International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law is even more critical under the present circumstances.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs has been in continuous contact, from the outset, with Greece’s partners and allies in the wider region. In addition, on March 1, Mr. Gerapetritis participated in an extraordinary meeting, via teleconference, of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU Member States, on the latest developments in Iran and the Middle East, during which he emphasized the importance of:
• de-escalation and diplomacy
• substantive oversight of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic program
• the safe repatriation of European citizens
• maritime security
• respect for International Law and human rights
At the same time, Mr. Gerapetritis expressed Greece’s solidarity with the countries of the Gulf and underlined the need to counter the dissemination of false information.
I would also like to highlight the Joint Statement agreed by all 27 Member States, which calls for respect for International Law and the UN Charter. All 27 called on all parties to exercise restraint to ensure the protection of civilians and regional security.
On the same day, the Minister of Foreign Affairs held a video conference with the Heads of Greece’s Diplomatic and Consular Authorities in the region, who provided him with a detailed briefing on the situation on the ground. The Minister issued instructions for the management of this particularly complex situation. He also participated in yesterday’s video conference convened by the Prime Minister with the Heads of our Missions, who provided updates on the situation of Greek citizens, the repatriation requests filed in the countries affected by the war, and the resources required to carry out their duties.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has activated its Crisis Management Unit to provide consular assistance to those in need.
Given the volatile situation, our priority and primary concern is the protection of Greek citizens and their safe repatriation.
Furthermore, a total of 12 emergency telephone lines have been activated at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which Greek citizens located in the affected countries may call for any relevant information. According to last night’s update, five of these lines are dedicated exclusively to providing information concerning Greek citizens in the United Arab Emirates.
All Greek Embassies and Consulates in the region remain on heightened alert and in constant communication with Greek citizens.
Specifically, I refer to the:
• Embassy of Greece in Tehran (Iran)
• Embassy of Greece in Amman (Jordan)
• Embassy of Greece in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates)
• Embassy of Greece in Baghdad (Iraq)
• Embassy of Greece in Beirut (Lebanon)
• Embassy of Greece in Kuwait (Kuwait)
For Bahrain, the Embassy of Greece in Kuwait is concurrently accredited; an Honorary Consulate of Greece also operates in Manama (Bahrain).
• Embassy of Greece in Doha (Qatar)
• Embassy of Greece in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), which is also accredited to Oman, where the Honorary Consulate General of Greece in Muscat (Oman) also operates
• Embassy of Greece in Tel Aviv (Israel)
• Consulate General of Greece in Jerusalem (Israel)
For all these Missions, emergency contact numbers and registration platforms for Greek citizens are posted and regularly updated.
A specific plan is in place for the repatriation of Greek citizens, as well as alternative contingency plans in the event that restrictions continue. A necessary precondition for the launch of any repatriation operation is the restoration of air traffic. Once air traffic is restored, our diplomatic Missions stand ready to provide all necessary assistance to Greek citizens wishing to return to Greece.
At present, the airspace remains closed in the vast majority of countries in the region. As a result, no flights can be carried out. In countries where Greek citizens are present and the airspace is open, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is planning repatriation flights.
To be more specific, according to the latest information received from our Missions Abroad: in Israel, the airspace is closed; in Iran, it is closed; in Jordan, it is open; in Kuwait and Bahrain, it is closed; in Lebanon, it is open; in Qatar, it is closed; in the United Arab Emirates, it is closed.
I reiterate that our priority is the safe repatriation of Greek citizens. You understand that, for security reasons, we cannot elaborate on what is being planned and prepared with regard to repatriation flights.
I would like to stress - and this should be clearly understood - that this is a situation of war. The situation on the ground is extremely difficult and complex, and its duration cannot be determined; it is unknown. Therefore, until the situation becomes clearer, Greek citizens are urged to follow the instructions of the local authorities and to monitor the announcements published either on the social media accounts of our Missions or of the Ministry.
The National Council on Foreign Policy will be convened on Wednesday, March 4, at 1:00 p.m., under the Presidency of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis, to discuss developments in the Middle East.
Thank you very much. I am at your disposal.
March 3, 2026