<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians have been advised to leave </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/iran" rel="" target="_blank" title="Iran"><span>Iran</span></a><span> now, as </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/iran-protests-victim-rubina-aminian/e9155192-6b99-4c2f-ae57-8f26556cf512" rel="" target="_blank" title="ongoing protests"><span>ongoing protests</span></a><span> may make it "impossible to leave later".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Updated advice from </span><a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/afghanistan" rel="" target="_blank" title="Smartraveller"><span>Smartraveller</span></a><span> warned that though flights are still departing the West Asian nation, that could soon change.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Commercial options to depart are still available but becoming more limited," it read.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/parcel-service-sendle-ceases-operations-in-australia/3744ab01-386d-45fa-a37b-deac2de7615d" target="_blank"><strong><span>Australian parcel service Sendle suddenly ceases operations after 12 years</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Airspace closures and flight cancellations could happen soon, making it impossible to leave later."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Airspace closures and flight cancellations could occur at short notice if the already volatile security situation in Iran continues to deteriorate.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The internet is already down and phone lines have been cut off amid nationwide protests.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/world/iran-travel-advice-australians-urged-leave-now-protest-death-toll-rises/7cb0297d-b60c-46f3-be85-9cced8216362" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victorian-imam-ismet-purdic-and-wife-assaulted-in-racist-attack-south-gippsland-highway/d868f682-d313-48eb-9462-8a88081a7340" target="_blank"><strong><span>Muslim leader and wife allegedly forced off road and racially attacked in Melbourne</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The US-based </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/iran-protests-hundreds-dead-in-crackdown-activists-say/3a4d312e-bb85-46d1-ba08-4115eb5dee61"><span>Human Rights Activists News Agency says 538 people have been killed</span></a><span> and 10,600 detained.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>According to Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), an independent, Norway-based non-profit that monitors the human rights situation in the country, the death toll may be as high as 2000.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Security forces' response to protests has been severe, and many protesters and bystanders have been injured, killed or detained," Smartraveller said in updated advice.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Avoid public gatherings and protests. Australians, including dual nationals, are at a high risk of being detained."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It urged all Australians in Iran to leave immediately.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bondi-hero-ahmed-al-ahmed-recalls-seeing-new-angle-of-his-heroic-act-during-shooting/6248418b-8379-4867-88a6-ba569487a017" target="_blank"><strong><span>Bondi hero Ahmed Al Ahmed reveals 'trauma' after seeing video of confrontation with gunman</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The Australian Embassy's operations have been suspended and the Australian government's ability to provide consular assistance in Iran is extremely limited.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Australians who choose to remain against government advice will be responsible for their own safety.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They should be prepared to shelter in place for an extended period and stock up on food, water and medication.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><strong><span>Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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