In response to the difficult financial and economic situation in Slovenia, which calls for substantial cost-cutting in Slovenia's diplomacy, the government decided at its 1 February session to close the embassy.

The Foreign Ministry said that trade between Slovenia and Iran in the recent years failed to reach the expectations and that much of the trade was conducted through companies in third countries.

Despite the closure, of which Iranian authorities have been notified on 13 February, Slovenia will continue to work on fostering and boosting bilateral relations with Iran, the ministry points out.

Consular representation in issues involving visas has already been transferred to the Austrian embassy in Tehran, as is customary for countries parties to the Schengen Agreement.

Slovenia has already closed a number of its embassies around Europe for austerity reasons, notably in Dublin, Helsinki and Lisbon.