Several countries, including the United States, have ordered travel to Israel and the surrounding region as the Israeli military says it is on “high alert”, wary of a possible attack by Iran in retaliation for the killing of several of its commanders. issued new travel guidelines.
Iran has repeatedly vowed to strike back against Israel over the bombing of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, this month that killed three generals and four other military personnel. U.S. officials said Friday that the U.S. government expects Iran's attack on Israel to be larger than recent attacks in the long shadow war between the two countries, but not large enough to draw the U.S. into war. Stated. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The U.S. State Department on Thursday banned its employees from traveling to large parts of Israel, the first time the U.S. government has restricted the movement of its employees in this way since the Gaza war began more than six months ago.
On Thursday, Britain told its citizens that they should consider “leaving” Israel and the Palestinian territories “if it is safe to do so.” On Friday, India urged its citizens “not to travel to Iran or Israel until further notice.” France advised people It banned travel to Israel, Iran and Lebanon, and evacuated the families of French diplomats from Iran.
Asked about the U.S. travel warning, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a Thursday news conference: “Over the past several days, we have seen Iran make public threats against Israel.” said. He did not provide details about the specific information that triggered the warning.
The new guidelines prohibit U.S. government employees and their families from traveling outside the Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beersheba metropolitan areas “out of an abundance of caution” until further notice. The State Department said U.S. personnel may travel between these regions for personal travel.
Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, visited Israel to coordinate a response to possible Iranian retaliation, U.S. officials said.
“We believe that our enemies will divide Israel and the United States,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said in a statement Friday after meeting with General Kurilla. “They bring us together and strengthen our relationships.”
If Iran attacks, he added, “we will know how to respond.”
On Thursday, Israeli military chief spokesman Maj. Gen. Daniel Hagari said the military was “highly alert and prepared” for any action taken by Iran, although the timing and scale of the response remained uncertain. . Analysts say the Iranian government, which has long used a network of proxies to project power across the Middle East, is trying to avoid starting a full-scale war that could involve the United States and threaten the regime's survival. He says he is thinking of doing so.
“For years, and even more so during the war, Iran has financed, directed, and armed its proxies in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen to attack Israel. I've come,” he said. “An attack from Iranian territory would be clear evidence of Iran's intention to escalate the situation in the Middle East and stop hiding behind its proxies.”
