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‘Do not travel to Iran or Israel’: MEA issues advisory amid escalating tensions in the region

Iran has vowed to ‘punish’ Israel for Syrian attack

(File) Iranians burn an Israeli flag during a rally marking Quds Day and the funeral of members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who were killed in a suspected Israeli airstrike on the Iranian embassy complex in the Syrian capital Damascus, in Tehran, Iran | Reuters

Amid the escalating Middle East tensions, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has advised citizens on Friday from travelling to Iran and Israel until further notice. 

The advisory is issued in the wake of Iran's attack threat against Israel after its suspected airstrike on Iran's consulate in Syria killed several people earlier this month. 

Along with India, countries including the US and Russia have also issued travel advisories for their staff and citizens in the region. 

"In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice. All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian Embassies there and register themselves," MEA advisory stated. 

Those already in the nations were requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum.

About 13 people were killed in the April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate building including senior Iranian military leaders. Among them was Brig-Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander of Iran's elite Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon.

Iran has vowed to strike back against Israel, though the country has not claimed the responsibility for the attack so far. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has promised Israel "ironclad" US support. "As I told Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu, our commitment to Israel's security against these threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad - let me say it again, ironclad," said Biden.

"We are going to do all we can to protect Israel's security," he added. 

The US and the Israeli forces in the region have been on high alert since Iran’s retaliation threat.

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