India asks citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Iran amid Middle East tension

The Indian government on Wednesday advised its nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Iran amid the escalating tension in the Middle East area.

India issued the warning after Iran launched a barrage of missiles on Israel.

“We are closely monitoring the recent escalation in the security situation in the region,” read the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

“Indian nationals are advised to avoid all non-essential travel to Iran,” the statement said.

“Those currently residing in Iran are requested to remain vigilant and stay in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran,” the Ministry said in its statement asking Indians who are currently in the country.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday warned that Iran made “a big mistake” by firing 181 missiles towards Israel, media reports said.

The attack came amid Israeli strikes on Lebanon to target Hezbollah, which saw the execution of the militant outfit’s commander Hassan Nasrallah, and a top official from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

At a security cabinet meeting in a secure bunker near Jerusalem in the aftermath of the attack, Netanyahu warned that Tehran had made a ‘big mistake tonight’ and vowed that ‘it will pay for it’, reported The Times of Israel.

The strike on Israel had “failed,” he said, and was “thwarted thanks to Israel’s air defence system, which is the most advanced in the world.”

According to the Israeli foreign ministry, the missiles were fired around 10 PM IST.

An hour later, around 11.10 pm, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said there was no more threat from Iran “for now”.

The civilians were allowed to leave bomb shelters, adding that there were a few “hits” during the barrage.

The attack further escalated tension in the Middle East.

Confirming the attack, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said it was in response to the killing of Nasrallah, Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, and its senior commander Abbas Nilforoushan, said reports.

The Revolutionary Guards also threatened to carry out “crushing attacks” against Israel if it retaliated.

Meanwhile, amidst the attack, US President Joe Biden ordered the country’s military to “aid Israel’s defence” and shoot down Iranian missiles targeting its ally.

A White House statement said Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the Democratic nominee in next month’s US presidential election, were both monitoring Iran’s attack on Israel from the White House situation room. The agency said some missiles had also been intercepted by neighbouring Jordan.