World on edge over ‘imminent’ Iran attack on Israel, India issues travel advisory
Countries including France, India, Russia, Poland and the United Kingdom have warned their citizens against travelling to Israel, amid threats of an Iranian attack in response to a strike this month on its consulate in Damascus.
This comes amid reports that Iran will likely launch a direct attack on Israel within the next 48 hours. US President Joe Biden said he expected Iran to attack Israel “sooner, rather than later,” and warned Tehran not to proceed. In his message to Iran, Biden simply said, “Don’t,” and underscored Washington’s commitment to defend Israel.
A reportedly imminent attack by Iran on Israel is a real and viable threat, the White House said on Friday, giving no details about any possible timing and reiterating that the US takes its commitments to defend Israel seriously.
The United States earlier said it was sending reinforcements to the Middle East as fears grow that Iran could soon launch an attack on Israel, AFP reported. Meanwhile, German airline Lufthansa on Friday said its planes would no longer use Iranian airspace as it extended a suspension on flights to and from Tehran amid soaring Middle East tensions.
INDIA ISSUES TRAVEL ADVISORY
The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday issued a notification asking Indians to avoid travelling to Iran and Israel till further notice. Indians who are currently residing in Iran or Israel have been asked to contact the Indian embassies there and register themselves.
“They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” the ministry added. The Indian embassy in Israel also asked Indian nationals in the country to “avoid unnecessary travel, remain calm and follow safety guidelines issued by the local authorities”.
The ministry’s advisory came on a day when The Wall Street Journal, citing a person who had been briefed by the Iranian leadership, reported that Iran would likely launch a direct attack on Israel within the next 48 hours. The person quoted in the report said Iran was still weighing the political risks of a direct attack on Israel.
Meanwhile, two US officials told the BBC’s US partner CBS News that an attack could come as soon as Friday. One official also said the attack could include more than 100 drones, dozens of cruise missiles and possibly ballistic missiles which will be aimed at military targets in Israel.
The tension between the two countries escalated to a critical level when a strike demolished the Iranian consulate in Syria. Iran blamed Israel for the strike that killed one of its top military commanders and six officers. The strike appeared to signify an escalation of Israel’s targeting of military officials from Iran, which supports militant groups fighting Israel in Gaza, and along its border with Lebanon.
The strike on its consulate prompted Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to say that an attack on Israel was “inevitable”. On Thursday, the US embassy in Israel asked its employees and their family members to restrict travel outside Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be’er Sheva.
The French foreign ministry also advised French citizens against travelling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the Palestinian territories. It added that relatives of Iran-based diplomats will return to France and French civil servants are banned from conducting any missions in the said regions.