MEA Eases Travel Advisory For Indians Going To Iran And Israel, Urges Them To 'Remain Vigilant'

India eased travel advisories for Iran and Israel due to open airspace, advising vigilance for Indian nationals and to contact the embassies.

Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, India eased its travel advisory for nationals traveling to Iran and Israel, noting recent developments in the airspace policies. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted that both countries "have opened their airspace for several days now." Jaiswal, responding to a media query on travel advisories for Iran and Israel, advised Indian nationals to remain vigilant while traveling to these countries and to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy.

"We continue to closely monitor the situation in the region. We have also noted that Iran and Israel have opened their airspace for several days now. We advise Indian nationals to remain vigilant while traveling to these countries and be in touch with the Indian Embassy,” he remarked.

The advisory, issued today, comes amidst heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, triggered by an alleged Israeli airstrike on a building in the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus on April 1. The strike resulted in the death of seven individuals, including Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In retaliation, Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel on April 13.

The April 12 advisory, issued prior to Iran's retaliatory strikes on Israel, cited prevailing tensions and urged all Indians to refrain from traveling to Iran or Israel until further notice. It also urged Indians residing in these countries to register themselves with Indian embassies and exercise utmost caution for their safety.

Apart from issuing advisories, India has communicated its concerns about the situation in West Asia directly to both Iran and Israel. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar conveyed India's message during separate phone conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahin and Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

Iran Imposes Sanctions On US, UK Entities Over Israel Support

Iran imposed sanctions on several American and British individuals and entities for their alleged support of Israel in its conflict with the Palestinian group Hamas. The sanctions were announced on Thursday through a statement from Iran's Foreign Ministry, targeting seven Americans and British officials and entities, including military commanders and defense companies, AFP reported.

Among the Americans sanctioned are General Bryan P. Fenton, commander of the US Special Operations Command, and Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, a former commander of the US Navy's Fifth Fleet. British individuals include Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps and James Hockenhull, commander of the British Army Strategic Command, along with the UK Royal Navy in the Red Sea, as per AFP.

Additionally, penalties were imposed on US firms Lockheed Martin and Chevron, and British companies Elbit Systems, Parker Meggitt, and Rafael UK.

Iran's Foreign Ministry stated that the sanctions involve blocking accounts and transactions in the Iranian financial and banking systems, as well as blocking assets within Iran's jurisdiction. Visa issuance and entry to Iranian territory for the sanctioned individuals and entities are also prohibited, AFP's report stated.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip began after an attack by Palestinian Hamas operatives on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,170 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Iran has expressed support for Hamas but denies direct involvement in the attack.

Israel's subsequent offensive against Hamas has led to the deaths of at least 34,568 people in Gaza, predominantly women and children, as reported by the Hamas-run territory's health ministry.