Tehran / Riyadh / Tel Aviv: The ongoing tension between Iran and the US and Israel has intensified. According to Saudi officials, two drone attacks were carried out on the US embassy in Riyadh, resulting in limited fire and minor damage.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has announced that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed and has warned that any ship passing through this waterway may be targeted. About a fifth of the world’s oil is transported through the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli forces continue to attack Tehran and Beirut, including targeting the Iranian state broadcaster. The total death toll in Iran and Lebanon has exceeded 600.
US President Donald Trump has said that the military campaign against Iran could last about four weeks and that Washington will take all possible measures to destroy Tehran’s missile and nuclear programs.
Iran has also targeted energy infrastructure in Gulf countries, after which oil and gas prices rose sharply in the global market. Qatar’s state-owned petroleum company Qatar Energy has temporarily suspended LNG production after attacks on two of its facilities.
Iran is also attacking various areas of Israel. According to the Israeli military, missiles were intercepted over West Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Eilat, but at least 10 people have been killed in Israel since Saturday.
The deteriorating situation in the region is causing serious concern worldwide and there are calls for increased diplomatic efforts.
Several US and Canadian embassies temporarily closed due to tensions in the Middle East
The US and Canada have temporarily closed several of their embassies due to rising tensions in the Middle East.
The US Embassy in Kuwait has announced that diplomatic activities will remain suspended until further notice due to ongoing regional tensions. The embassy has canceled all routine and emergency consular appointments.
According to US officials, six US soldiers were killed in Kuwait in recent military incidents and three US fighter jets were destroyed, which the US military has apparently described as “friendly fire”.
On the other hand, the Canadian Embassy in Riyadh has also announced a temporary closure due to the current security situation and has canceled all meetings until March 6.
Similarly, the US Embassy in Iraq has ordered non-emergency US government employees to leave the country. US personnel in Baghdad have also been prevented from using the international airport due to security concerns.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Riyadh has canceled all its consular services in Saudi Arabia following the attack on the embassy. Shelter-in-place instructions have been issued in Jeddah, Riyadh and Dhahran and US citizens have been instructed to prepare personal security plans.
The US State Department had previously issued an advisory advising US citizens to immediately depart Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
US Emergency Advisory, Citizens Ordered to Leave 14 Middle Eastern Countries Immediately
The US has issued an advisory to its citizens to leave 14 Middle Eastern countries immediately.
The advisory issued by the US State Department states that American citizens in Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel (including the West Bank and Gaza), Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen should immediately leave these countries on their own due to security concerns.
US officials say that the security situation in the region is changing rapidly and there is a risk of missile or drone attacks at any time. Citizens have also been instructed to stay away from military installations and sensitive locations.
On the other hand, the Canadian government has also instructed its citizens to leave Dubai immediately. Canadian officials have said that they should not wait for special flights but should try to reach Saudi Arabia or the Kingdom of Oman by land.
Due to rising global tensions, various countries are issuing instructions to their citizens to evacuate to safer places.
560 US troops have been killed in missile attacks so far, says Iranian military
Meanwhile, Jordan has summoned the Iranian ambassador in strong protest over the missile attacks. Jordan has expressed deep concern over the escalation of regional tensions.
Iranian state media has claimed that 560 American soldiers have been killed or injured in the recent attacks so far, while the Iranian military has also claimed to have targeted the US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln with four missiles.
According to the Revolutionary Guards, three American and British oil tankers were targeted with missiles, which are now burning in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.
According to news agencies, attacks have also been carried out on a US military base in Bahrain, but these claims could not be independently verified.
On the other hand, Israel has launched a new wave of attacks on Iran. There are reports of heavy bombing in Tehran, where loud explosions were heard and the air was filled with smoke.
According to eyewitnesses, the sky was lit up by the firing of anti-aircraft guns.
The Israeli government has extended the state of emergency imposed across the country until March 12, while security forces have been put on high alert.
