India on Friday advised its citizens against travelling to Iran and Israel until further notice in view of the “prevailing situation in the region”. The advisory from the foreign ministry came amid Iran’s threats to retaliate against a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy in Syria this month.
Countries including the US and Russia have issued similar travel advisories for their staff and citizens in the region.
In an advisory, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also urged the Indians residing in Iran and Israel to exercise utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to minimum.
“In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice,” the MEA said.
“The north is empty of visitors these days,” Safi Maklada, the Negev and Galilee Authority’s Druze and Circassian tourism coordinator, told The Press Service of Israel. “You won’t find anyone around except for the soldiers doing their duty, guarding the border and the communities, and their families dropping by for a visit.”
“All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian Embassies there and register themselves. They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” it added. It is feared that retaliation by Iran can widen the six-month old conflict between Iran-backed Hamas militants and Israel in Gaza.
The US has reached out to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Iraq, asking them to urge Iran to lower tensions with Israel, as part of its efforts to contain the conflict.
