Israel-Iran War: Tata Group-owned Air India said on Friday that its flights to and from Tel Aviv will remain suspended till April 30, 2024, in view of the current situation in the Middle East.
The company issued a statement saying, "In view of the tense situation in the Middle East, our flights to Tel Aviv will be suspended until April 30, 2024. We are constantly monitoring the situation. All our passengers who have booked tickets during this period. will have the option of one-time free rescheduling and cancellation. We want to reiterate that the safety of our staff and crew is of utmost importance to us."
On April 13, Iran fired 300 rockets-missiles at Israel. However, most of the missiles were shot down by Israel before they hit the target.
This was the first time that Iran directly attacked Israel from its soil.
On April 1, there was an attack on Iran's diplomatic embassy in Syria in which 13 people were killed. The top commander and deputy of the Revolutionary Guard were also killed in this. It is believed that Israel was behind this attack.
US Embassy in Jerusalem issues security alert
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Jerusalem issues a security alert to employees and their family members restricting their travel to the Tel Aviv, Beersheba and Jerusalem areas, citing “an abundance of caution following reports that Israel conducted a retaliatory strike inside Iran.”
G7 calls on ‘all parties’ to avoid escalation
G7 foreign ministers have urged “all parties” to “work to prevent further escalation” in the Middle East, following Israel’s attack on Iran this morning.
“In light of reports of strikes on April 19th, we urge all parties to work to prevent further escalation. The G7 will continue to work to this end,” the Group of Seven nations said in a statement after a meeting on the Italian island of Capri.
Germany and Russia call for restraint
Germany has pleaded for restraint to both sides following Israel’s attack on Iran.
“De-escalation must be the advice of the hour,” said Steffen Hebestreit, a government spokesman, adding: “We must prevent a conflagration at all costs, and this appeal goes to all sides.”
Moscow also said that it “does not want escalation”, following the strikes near an Iranian air base.
“There have been telephone contacts between the leadership of Russia and Iran, our representatives and the Israelis,” Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, told reporters. “We made it very clear in these conversations, we told the Israelis that Iran does not want escalation.”
Israel attack ‘carefully calibrated’
Israel’s morning attack on an Iranian military base was “carefully calibrated” to signal Israel’s ability to attack Iran on home soil, reports suggest.
The impact of the strike near Iran’s Isfahan air base is not yet clear, with Tehran officials downplaying the incident, reporting no damage has been caused.
Two source with inside knowledge of Israel’s attack have said the strike was designed to send a message to Tehran.
Military analysts have suggested Israel’s intention was to hit back following Iran’s massive missile and drone attack last week, but to avoid further escalation.
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