Jerusalem – The United States has restricted travel for its embassy staff in Israel amid heightened tensions following an Israeli strike on an Iranian consulate in Syria. The move comes as both Iran and Israel vow strong responses, raising fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East.
The US embassy in Jerusalem instructed staff to limit personal travel outside major cities like Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Beersheba “out of an abundance of caution.” This follows warnings from US officials of a potential Iranian attack “as soon as Friday,” potentially involving missiles and drones targeting Israeli military sites.
Iran blames Israel for the April 1st attack on its Syrian consulate, which killed a senior commander and other Iranian military figures. Tehran has vowed retaliation, with an official suggesting Israeli embassies could be targeted.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned of a forceful response against any nation that attacks Israel, while US President Joe Biden pledged “ironclad” support to the Jewish state.
Adding to the international pressure, world leaders have urged restraint. UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron called on Iran to avoid escalating the conflict, while US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to officials from China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to advocate for de-escalation.
The potential for further violence has also prompted several nations to update travel advisories. Both the UK and France warned their citizens against travel to Israel and surrounding regions, with France even evacuating family members of diplomats in Iran. Additionally, German airline Lufthansa has suspended flights to Tehran until Saturday.