Ambassador Gholampour: Kenyans in Iran can exit safely through ‘No-Land Exit’ corridors

The Iranian Ambassador to Kenya, Ali Gholampour, has assured that Kenyan nationals currently in Iran can leave safely through designated “no‑land exit corridors,” amid rising tensions following recent US and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory.

Speaking to the media, the ambassador said there are only a few Kenyans in Iran, but the Iranian government is facilitating their safe departure.

“The embassies and also the minister of foreign affairs and all the relevant institutions and organisations are just providing all the necessary facilitations for them, those who are wishing to get out of the country through the no‑land exit corridors,” he said.

No‑land exit corridors are overland routes set up by the Iranian authorities and neighbouring countries to allow foreign nationals to exit safely during crises when air travel may be restricted or airports closed.

These corridors are coordinated with embassies to ensure orderly passage and protection for citizens travelling across borders to reach safe zones.

In this case, Kenyans wishing to leave Iran can use these routes to reach neighbouring countries, from where they can access further transport options back to Kenya or elsewhere.

The Ambassador emphasised that the corridors are part of Iran’s effort to safeguard foreign nationals amid the escalating conflict.

He noted that the country’s response focuses on self-defence, not targeting civilians in other nations, and the safety of foreigners remains a priority.

“This is something that my government is providing to those foreigners that are willing to leave the country very safely,” he said.

He also reassured that Kenya faces no direct missile threat from Iran.

“Our missiles will not reach the Kenyan territory. This is good news because, you know, our government has deliberately, in order to show its intention, a peaceful intention to the war, that this missile’s capacity is only for defensive purposes,” the envoy said.

He emphasised that Iran has intentionally limited missile ranges to a maximum of 2,000 kilometres, ensuring that countries such as Kenya remain outside the scope of its defensive arsenal.

The envoy further expressed confidence in Kenya’s continued diplomatic and historical ties with Iran.

“We have had long historical, friendly and mutual relations, and we do our best to preserve that relation. And I do not believe that Kenya will provide such a facility to attack Iran from its land,” he said.

While stressing Iran’s right to self-defence under international law, the ambassador highlighted that the country does not seek escalation beyond its defensive operations.

The no‑land exit corridors, he added, are part of broader efforts to prevent harm to foreign nationals and maintain orderly movement during a period of heightened tension.

With few Kenyan nationals in Iran, the arrangement offers a critical safeguard, allowing them to exit safely and avoid the risks posed by ongoing military operations.

Kenyan authorities and the Iranian government continue to coordinate closely to ensure these corridors function smoothly and that citizens can return home without incident.