By Smartencyclopedia & Agencies
Paris, France — In a stark warning issued on Friday, the French government has urged its citizens currently in Iran to depart immediately, amid escalating regional tensions following the recent assassinations of prominent figures in Tehran and Beirut.
The French Foreign Ministry’s call comes as Iran and its allies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, have vowed retaliation for the killings of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader, and Fuad Shukr, a top Hezbollah military commander. The ministry’s statement reflects growing concern over the safety of foreign nationals in the region.
“The French Foreign Ministry advises all French nationals currently in Iran to leave as soon as possible,” the statement read. This directive follows similar warnings from other nations regarding travel to the volatile region.
Poland has also issued a cautionary note to its citizens, warning that exiting Israel, Lebanon, and Iran may become increasingly challenging due to the heightened security situation. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its longstanding travel advisories against visiting these areas.
“The unstable security situation makes it likely that it will become more difficult to leave these countries,” the Polish ministry said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
In a related development, Polish airline LOT announced the cancellation of eight flights to Lebanon and Israel due to the escalating security concerns.
The heightened tensions stem from the assassination of Haniyeh on Wednesday in Tehran, which has intensified fears of a broader regional conflict. Iran, along with its proxies, has promised revenge against Israel, which has been linked to the killing of Shukr. Although the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has claimed responsibility for Shukr’s death, Israel has yet to officially comment on Haniyeh’s assassination.
Reports from The New York Times suggest that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has ordered a direct strike on Israel in response to Haniyeh’s death. This development follows an earlier attack by Iran on April 13, aimed at Israel in retaliation for an alleged Israeli airstrike on Iranian consulate officials in Damascus.
The recent violence marks a significant escalation in the ongoing Gaza conflict, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a major offensive against southern Israel, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.
As regional tensions continue to rise, the French and Polish governments’ warnings highlight the urgent need for caution among their citizens in the Middle East.