Israel is closing its embassies worldwide and has advised citizens to remain vigilant and avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in public, according to statements posted on embassy websites on Friday, following the country’s large-scale strikes on Iran.
The statements said Israel would not be providing consular services and urged citizens to cooperate with local security services if faced with hostile activity.
No timeframe was given for how long the embassies would be closed. A person picking up the phone at the embassy in Berlin gave no further details.
“In light of recent developments, Israeli missions around the world will be closed and consular services will not be provided,” the statement said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, said Germany was stepping up protection of Jewish and Israeli sites.
Visible security was increased outside the Great Synagogue of Stockholm, with a police van and car parked near the building, a Reuters witness said.
Earlier, Israel said it had attacked nuclear facilities and missile factories in Iran and had killed a swathe of military commanders in what could be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Iran had brought the attack on itself by resisting U.S. demands in talks to restrict its nuclear programme, and urged it to make a deal, “with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal”.
Israel Strikes Iranian Sites
Israel launched a series of coordinated airstrikes targeting multiple nuclear and military facilities across Iran, marking one of the most significant escalations in Middle East tensions in recent years.
According to Israeli officials, the strikes were aimed at halting Iran’s alleged progress toward acquiring nuclear weapons and disrupting its military infrastructure.
The attacks reportedly hit key locations linked to Iran’s nuclear programme, including enrichment sites and missile storage facilities.
Explosions were reported in the provinces of Isfahan and Yazd, with satellite images and local witnesses confirming extensive damage in several areas.
Iran Vows Revenge
Israel has not officially disclosed the full scope of the operation but emphasised it was a “preemptive measure to safeguard national and regional security.”
In response, Iran swiftly condemned the attacks, calling them an “act of war.” Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “severe and calculated revenge,” stating that Israel would face consequences for its “aggression.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has reportedly gone on high alert, and regional tensions have surged.
The United Nations and major global powers have expressed concern, urging both sides to show restraint. However, the risk of a broader conflict now looms large across an already volatile region.
(With inputs from Reuters)
