European nations urge citizens to leave Middle East amid rising US- Iran tensions

Brussels (The Uttam Hindu): Some European countries have urged their citizens to leave or avoid travel to Iran and several other areas in the Middle East due to rising tensions there. The British government said on Friday (local time) that it has temporarily withdrawn its staff from Iran and its embassy will continue to operate remotely, and advised against any travel to the country.

The French Foreign Ministry issued a security advisory for French citizens against traveling to Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank, citing potential regional repercussions from the situation involving Iran. It warned of possible flight cancellations or delays and urged citizens in the affected areas to be vigilant and avoid crowds, according to the report.

Italy also urged its citizens to leave Iran and advised extreme caution throughout the Middle East. "Italians who have traveled to Iran for tourism or whose presence is not essential are urged to return," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement. It also strongly discouraged travel to Iraq and Lebanon.

Germany updated its travel guidance to prevent travel to all of Israel, expanding an earlier advisory that only applied to certain parts of the country. Poland's Foreign Ministry urged its citizens to leave Iran, Israel, and Lebanon immediately, warning that the security situation in the Middle East remains uncertain and that the closure of civilian airspace could make flights impossible or severely disrupted.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry has issued its travel advisory for the border areas between Israel and Gaza, Lebanon and Egypt, citing rising tensions in the Middle East. "Due to the current tensions in the Middle East, the security situation in Israel is uncertain; whatever your situation, do not travel there. It is very dangerous," the ministry said in a statement.

Several European countries have already issued travel warnings. The Finnish Foreign Ministry, in a travel advisory updated in February, advised citizens to avoid all travel to Iran and to leave Yemen and Libya immediately. The Serbian Foreign Ministry has urged its citizens in Iran to leave as soon as possible.

Furthermore, the Swedish Foreign Ministry stated in February that those who have decided to remain in Iran should not expect any government-sponsored evacuation, updating its January advisory that its citizens should avoid all travel to Iran and leave the country immediately. Despite several rounds of diplomatic talks between Iran and the United States in Geneva, Switzerland, tensions have been rising in recent days as senior US officials have repeatedly warned of possible military intervention against Iran.

The US has increased its military presence in the region, deploying two aircraft carrier strike groups and over 150 fighter jets, including F-35 stealth fighters. It has also strengthened military bases in Jordan and Israel. In light of the security situation, the US has withdrawn non-essential staff from its embassy in Beirut as a precautionary measure. According to an official Dutch government statement, escalating tensions in the region could lead to flight cancellations and prolonged airspace closures. Drone and missile attacks are also a threat, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly.

Furthermore, the Cyprus Foreign Ministry issued an alert stating, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring the new developments in the Middle East region and would like to remind Cypriot citizens of its travel advisory in force, which already advises them to avoid all travel to Iran and repatriate citizens who may be in the country. To Israel, avoid all non-essential travel. To the Palestinian territories, avoid non-essential travel to the West Bank and avoid all travel to Gaza.”