With the escalation of tensions between Tehran and Washington, and growing fears of a broader military conflict in the region, several countries began evacuating their diplomatic staff, non-essential employees, and their families from Iran and Israel. At the same time, urgent warnings were issued to its citizens to leave the two countries and to postpone any travel to them.
In Israel, the US Embassy issued a “security notice” giving non-essential US government employees and their families the option to leave the country for their safety. The embassy warned of the possibility of imposing additional restrictions on their movements, including some areas of Jerusalem, including the “Old City” and the “West Bank,” and called for them to leave as soon as possible.
In Iran, the British Foreign Office announced the temporary withdrawal of its diplomatic staff due to the security situation, while stressing that its embassy will continue to work remotely. Britain also took a precautionary measure by transferring some of its employees and their families from Tel Aviv to another location inside Israel, and advised against travel except “extremely necessary.”
For its part, France called on its citizens to avoid traveling to Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank, and urged those there to be careful and locate safe places. Germany also advised its citizens not to travel to Israel, and last month it stressed the need to leave Iran via available flights or by land.
China also asked its citizens to leave Iran “as soon as possible,” and called on its citizens in Israel to enhance their preparations in light of the high security risks. Canada urged its citizens in Iran to leave “now” if possible, noting the possibility of renewed conflicts without warning.
Likewise, Italy has asked its citizens to leave Iran and be cautious throughout the Middle East.
As for Australia, its diplomats in Israel and Lebanon gave the choice between staying and leaving immediately due to the deteriorating security situation, and allowed their families to leave voluntarily, and advised its citizens in the two countries to consider leaving as long as flights were available.
For its part, Serbia asked its citizens in Iran to leave as soon as possible, and Poland called on its citizens to leave Iran, Israel, and Lebanon immediately, warning that the security situation in the Middle East is “unstable and the risk of escalation is high, with the possibility of closing airspace to civilian flights.”
These measures come amid growing concerns about the expanding scope of the confrontation between the United States and Iran, against the backdrop of sensitive regional issues, including developments in Gaza and mutual accusations regarding military and missile activities.
With regard to Lebanon, these warnings coincide with a fragile security situation that is directly affected by any regional escalation, especially in light of the continuing tension on the southern border, and the possibility of the situation sliding into a broader confrontation if the scope of the conflict between Israel and Iran expands. Also, any potential closure of airspace or disruption of air traffic will expose the country to additional challenges, especially in light of its ongoing economic and financial crisis.
This wave of international warnings reflects a state of cautious anticipation among major capitals, which seek to reduce the risks to their citizens and diplomatic staff, while awaiting the course of events to become clear in a region that once again stands on the brink of widespread escalation.
