Don’t travel to Iran, Israel: India advises its citizens

New Delhi’s advisory comes at a time when countries like the US and France have also issued similar advisories for their respective citizens and officials.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said, “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,” the advisory said. “They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum.”

On April 4, India had expressed “concern” over the attack on the Iranian embassy, in which seven people were killed, and had urged all parties to avoid violence.

In response to questions, MEA’s official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said, “We have noted with concern the attack on Iranian diplomatic premises in Syria on 1 April 2024.”

“India is distressed at the escalating tensions in West Asia, and their potential to fuel further violence and instability. We urge all parties to avoid actions that go against commonly accepted principles and norms of International Law,” he said.

After suspected Israeli warplanes bombed Iran’s embassy in Syria, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said that seven Iranian military advisers died in the strike, including Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander in its Quds Force, and senior commander Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi.

On Thursday, the US State Department warned Americans in Israel not to travel outside major cities, which are better protected from incoming rocket fire by the country’s Iron Dome missile defence system. The latest guidance noted that travel by US government employees in Israel could be further restricted with little notice.

The French foreign ministry called on citizens on Friday “to completely refrain” from travelling to Israel, Iran, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. Paris also asked families of diplomats in Tehran to return to France and suspended all foreign ministry sanctioned missions to Israel, Lebanon, Iran and the Palestinian territories after a crisis meeting, a statement said.