France Urges Citizens to Avoid Traveling to Iran

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged its citizens to avoid travel to Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the Palestinian territories.

The warning comes amid rising tensions following a suspected Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

The French statement, posted on social media, announced that family members of diplomats in Iran will return to France, and government missions in all four regions are suspended.

Amid the escalating situation, German airline Lufthansa cancelled all flights to and from Tehran on Wednesday.

The April 1 strike, widely attributed to Israel, targeted Iran's consulate building in Damascus, killing seven Revolutionary Guards, including two senior generals.

In response, Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning on Wednesday, declaring that Israel "must be punished and will be punished."

Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz responded promptly to the rising tensions. On the social media platform X, Katz asserted Israel's readiness to defend itself, stating, "If Iran launches an attack from its territory, Israel will respond and retaliate against Iran."

General Michael Erik Kurilla, the commander of US Central Command responsible for military operations in the Middle East, reportedly visited Israel on Thursday, according to defense officials.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the situation from an air base in southern Israel on Thursday, pledging firm retaliation against any attacks on Israel. 

"Whoever harms us, we will harm them. We are prepared to meet all the security needs of the State of Israel, both defensively and offensively," Netanyahu stated.

Recent media reports, including an Axios article, suggest that a potential attack by Iran on Israel is imminent.

American news outlet Axios quoted Israeli officials as preparing for an unprecedented direct assault from Iranian soil, potentially involving ballistic missiles, drones, and cruise missiles.