Iran-Israel Hostility 2024: India, US issue travel advisories to nationals as tensions intensify in West Asia

Countries including France, India, Russia, Poland and the United Kingdom have warned their citizens against travelling to Israel, amid threats of an Iranian attack in response to a strike this month on its consulate in Damascus. This comes amid reports that the Iran will likely launch a direct attack on Israel within the next 48 hours.

US President Joe Biden said he expected Iran to attack Israel sooner than later and warned Tehran not to proceed. In his message to Iran, Biden simply said, Don’t and underscored Washington’s commitment to defend Israel. A reportedly imminent attack on Israel by Iran is a real and viable threat, the White House Said on April 12, 2024, giving no details about any possible timing and reiterated that the US is serious in its commitment to defend Israel.

The US earlier said it was sending reinforcements to West Asia as fears grow that Iran could launch a surprise attack on Israel, an international media agency said. Meanwhile, the German airline, Lufthansa said its planes will no longer use Iranian airspace as it extended a suspicion on flights to and from Tehran amid soaring tensions in West Asia.

On April 12, 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs of India issued a notification asking Indians to avoid traveling to Iran and Israel till further notice. Indians who are living in Iran and Israel have been asked to contact the Indian embassies there and register themselves. “They are also required to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” the ministry added.

The Indian Embassy in Israel also asked Indian nationals in the country to avoid “unnecessary travel, remain calm and follow safety guidelines issued by local authorities.” The ministry advisory came on a day when the Wall Street Journal, citing a person who had been briefed by the Iranian leadership reported that Iran would likely launch an attack on Israel within next 48 hours.

Meanwhile, the two US officials told an international media agency that an attack could come as soon as on April 12, 2024, and one official said the attack could include more than 100 drones, dozens of cruise missiles, and probably ballistic missiles which may be aimed at military targets in Israel.

The tensions between the two countries escalated to a critical level when a strike demolished an Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria. Iran blamed Israel for the attack that killed their top military commander and six officers. The strike appeared to signify an escalation of Israel targeting of military officials from Iran which supports militant groups fighting Israel forces in Gaza and along its border in Lebanon.

The strike on the Iranian consulate prompted Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to say an attack on Israel was inevitable. On April 11, 2024, the US Embassy in Israel asked its employees and their family members to restrict travel outside Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beer Sheva.

The French Foreign Ministry also advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Iran, Israel, Lebanon and Palestine. It also added that the relatives of the Iran-based diplomats will return to France and French civil servants are banned from conducting any missions in the said regions.