Venezuela announced the closure of its embassy in Oslo following opposition leader María Corina Machado receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, amid diplomatic tensions and Venezuela's restructuring of its foreign service. Norway expressed regret over the closure but emphasized the independence of the Nobel Committee. Machado's award highlights her efforts in promoting democracy in Venezuela, while the country also closed its embassy in Australia and opened new outposts in Zimbabwe and Burkina Faso amidst strained relations with the US.
Australia has suspended its embassy operations in Tehran due to escalating security concerns amid the Israel-Iran conflict, deploying defense personnel for evacuation efforts and sending consular staff to Azerbaijan to assist Australians leaving Iran, as tensions and military actions in the region intensify.
France is planning to indefinitely close its embassy in Niger due to restrictions imposed by the ruling junta following a coup in July. Relations between the two countries have deteriorated, with the junta ordering the expulsion of France's ambassador and the departure of French troops. The embassy's request to operate under regular conditions was not granted by Nigerien authorities. French officials have acknowledged the growing difficulties in carrying out diplomatic tasks since the summer.
The Afghan embassy in New Delhi, India, has closed down after diplomats appointed by the Afghan government ousted by the Taliban failed to secure visa extensions from the Indian government. India does not recognize the Taliban government and had allowed the embassy to operate, but pressure from both the Indian government and the Taliban forced the closure. Afghan diplomats appointed by the previous government have sought asylum in third countries, leaving no remaining diplomats in India. The status of Afghan consulates in other Indian cities remains unclear.
South African lawmakers have voted in favor of closing down the Israeli embassy in Pretoria and suspending all diplomatic relations with Israel until a ceasefire is agreed upon in the conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The resolution, although symbolic, awaits implementation by President Cyril Ramaphosa's government. South Africa has long supported the Palestinian cause and likened their struggle to that of the Black majority during apartheid. The Israeli embassy has not yet responded to the decision.
The embassy of Afghanistan in India has announced its closure, citing a lack of support from India and challenging operating conditions. The closure comes more than two years after the Taliban government took power in Afghanistan, triggering the collapse of the previous government. The embassy expressed disappointment over the lack of crucial support from India and the absence of a legitimate functioning government in Kabul. India, which has not recognized the Taliban government, will take control of the embassy in a caretaker capacity.
The Afghan embassy in India has suspended operations as the ambassador and other senior diplomats have left the country for Europe and the United States, where they have gained asylum. The embassy has been facing financial difficulties for the past two years and was being run by diplomats appointed by the previous Afghan government. This move could potentially allow Taliban diplomats to take over. India has not recognized the Taliban government and evacuated its own staff from Kabul in 2019. The Indian government will now take over the diplomatic compound in a caretaker capacity.
