US Imposes Travel Restrictions in Israel Amid Iran Attack Fears
In a bold move, the United States has limited travel for its employees in Israel due to mounting concerns over a potential attack by Iran.
The US embassy has directed its staff to refrain from traveling outside the greater Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, or Be’er Sheva areas as a precautionary measure.
Iran has issued threats of retaliation following Israel’s strike on the Iranian consulate in Syria, which resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals just 11 days ago.
UK Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron has personally reached out to his Iranian counterpart in a plea to prevent further escalation of tensions.
Although Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the consulate attack, it is widely believed to have orchestrated the operation.
Iran provides support to various groups, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both of which have a history of carrying out attacks against Israel.
The casualties from the consulate attack included a high-ranking commander from Iran’s elite Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon, along with other military officials.
As diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a wider conflict in the region, US President Joe Biden has issued a stern warning about the looming threat of a major Iranian attack and pledged unwavering support to Israel.
US Middle East operations commander Erik Kurilla has flown to Israel for crucial discussions on security threats, with the Pentagon expediting the visit due to recent developments.
During a conversation with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Lord Cameron emphasized the importance of avoiding a broader conflict in the Middle East.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has engaged with foreign ministers from China, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey to stress the detrimental impact of further escalation.
The nature and source of any potential retaliatory attack remain uncertain, with an Iranian official even suggesting Israeli embassies could be targeted.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has made it clear to the US that any direct Iranian aggression will prompt an appropriate response from Israel.
Regarding the travel restrictions, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller refrained from disclosing specific details but acknowledged heightened vigilance in monitoring the Middle East threat landscape.
The UK Foreign Office has also updated its travel advisory for Israel, citing the risk of an Iranian attack triggering broader conflict in the region.
Since the Hamas-led assault on Israel in early October, the Foreign Office has cautioned against travel to certain parts of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
German airline Lufthansa has extended its flight suspension to Tehran, reflecting ongoing tensions in the region.
The October attack, which originated from Gaza, resulted in significant casualties and ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas.
With casualties mounting and tensions escalating, the situation in Israel remains highly volatile. — BBC
