France is evacuating the families of its diplomats from Iran

French citizens are advised to refrain from traveling to Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the Palestinian territories. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stephane Sejournay, announced the decision to return the families of diplomats from Tehran and to ban French officials from traveling to these countries.

As Ukrinform reports, such a decision was made at a crisis meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday, the ministry reported on its page on the X network.

"Given the risks of military escalation in the Middle East, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Sejournay, approved the following measures at a crisis meeting: the French are advised to categorically refrain from trips to Iran, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories in the near future. Families of diplomatic representatives need to return from Tehran. French civil servants are prohibited from traveling to these countries," the message reads.

This decision of the French Foreign Ministry appeared against the background of Iran's threats to attack Israel, accusing it of an attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus (Syria).

As Ukrinform reported, American officials said that Iran could launch a large-scale attack on Israel as early as Friday. It could include the use of more than 100 drones and dozens of missiles aimed at military targets inside the country.

The US State Department on Thursday warned Americans in Israel not to travel outside major cities, which are better protected from rocket fire by the Iron Dome missile defense system.

The latest guidance notes that travel by US government officials to Israel may be further restricted.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 13/04/2024