Israel has announced the temporary closure of all its diplomatic missions around the globe as its military campaign against Iran intensifies, the Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement on Friday. This closure means consular services will not be accessible to Israeli citizens currently abroad.
The ministry has urged Israelis overseas to fill out an online form to update their location and current situation. Those requiring urgent assistance are advised to contact the ministry’s situation room directly. Furthermore, the statement cautioned Israeli nationals abroad to avoid displaying national symbols publicly, refrain from sharing identifiable information or travel plans on social media, and to stay away from large-scale events associated with Israel.
Earlier on the same day, Israel launched extensive strikes targeting dozens of Iranian military and nuclear sites. The attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of several senior Iranian military leaders, including Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami, according to Iranian media.
In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation, warning that Israel had “prepared a bitter fate for itself.” This development marks a significant escalation in the already tense relations between the two countries, with global diplomatic and security ramifications unfolding rapidly.