London: Israeli embassies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and several other countries have closed following Israeli military actions in Iran.
According to Nam News Network, the closures encompass Israeli missions worldwide, including locations in Sweden, Norway, Germany, Nigeria, Russia, Ukraine, and France. A message from these embassies indicated that consular services would be suspended indefinitely due to the recent developments.
The Israeli government’s decision to close its embassies follows significant military actions targeting approximately 100 sites in Iran, including nuclear facilities and military command centers. These strikes resulted in the deaths of high-ranking individuals, such as the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and top nuclear scientists. The strikes represent Israel’s most substantial military action against Iran to date.
There is no specified timeline for when the embassies might reopen. At the Israeli embassy in Berlin, a person who answered the phone provided no additional information. In response to the situation, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has announced increased protection measures for Jewish and Israeli sites in Germany, following discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Security has visibly increased outside Jewish sites, such as the Great Synagogue of Stockholm, where police presence has been noted. The ongoing tension stems from Iran’s nuclear program, which it claims is for civilian purposes but involves uranium enrichment levels close to those needed for a nuclear weapon. Iran has also restricted international inspectors from its nuclear facilities, heightening international concerns.