The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs today reinforced its warning to avoid traveling to Israel and countries in the region, at a time of great tension in the Middle East due to a possible attack by Tehran against the Israelis.
“Considering the state of war since October 7 and the recent threats to Israel, and taking into account the risks of the conflict evolving, all non-essential travel to Israel and countries in the region should continue to be avoided,” Portuguese diplomacy said in a statement.
This reinforced alert is posted on the Communities’ website and urges nationals who are in the country to “respect the warnings issued by the Israeli authorities and follow all safety instructions they issue”.
“There is a risk of terrorist attacks, especially on government, military and security installations, public transport and places with crowds, with firearms, bladed weapons or vehicles, so the greatest precautions are advised in all travel,” the statement said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Paulo Rangel, also stressed that it “continues to permanently monitor the situation”.
A declared enemy of Israel and an ally of the Palestinian extremist group Hamas, Iran threatened to punish Israel after an attack on its consulate in Damascus on April 1.
The attack killed 16 people, including seven members of the Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force, Tehran’s ideological army through which the regime exerts regional influence.
Among the dead were the head of the Quds Force in Syria and Lebanon, General Mohamed Reza Zahedi, and his deputy, General Mohamed Hadi Haj Rahimi.
Iran and Syria attributed the attack to Israel, which has not confirmed its involvement, but is still held responsible, including by its allies.
Since the attack, the Iranian authorities have warned that they reserved the right to respond and the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that Israel would regret it.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have increased significantly since the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which followed a Hamas attack on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023.
The unprecedented attack caused around 1,200 deaths and two hundred hostages, according to the Israeli authorities.
The Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused more than 33,600 deaths and the destruction of numerous infrastructures, according to the health authorities in the Palestinian enclave, ruled by Hamas since 2007.
Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and the European Union.
Israeli hostage declared dead by Hamas has Portuguese nationality
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