In Response to Tensions in the Middle East; Netherlands Temporarily Closes Its Embassy in Tehran

On Saturday, April 13, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the temporary closure of its embassy in Tehran. In a statement referencing the increasing tensions between the Iranian government and Israel, the ministry declared that the Netherlands would close its embassy in Tehran as a "precautionary measure" on Sunday. The ministry also stated that it would decide on reopening the embassy in the coming days. As the likelihood of military confrontation between the Islamic Republic and Israel rises, several European countries have called for the safety of their citizens. Germany issued a statement on Friday urging its citizens to leave Iran, citing the risk of a sudden escalation of tensions between the Islamic Republic and Israel, which could expose Germans to the "risk of arbitrary detention" in the country. Air France also announced late Friday that it would not fly over Iranian airspace due to "critical conditions". This decision was made following "high tensions in the Middle East". According to a spokesperson for the airline, three of its flights that were to operate over Iranian airspace have changed their routes and will arrive at their destinations with several hours of delay. Previously, two airlines, Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines, had also reported suspending and changing their flights to Iran. During an attack attributed to Israel on the Islamic Republic's consulate in Damascus on April 1, seven senior commanders and members of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were killed. Since then, the leader and other officials of the Islamic Republic have threatened retaliatory attacks on Israel. As tensions escalate in the region, following Austria and Germany, Air France will also refrain from flying over Iranian airspace. The U.S. Secretary of State has engaged in discussions with his Jordanian and Egyptian counterparts, emphasizing the need to prevent the escalation of tensions in the region by the Islamic Republic. CBS News reported that the Iranian government may attack Israel on Friday with over 100 drones and dozens of missiles, raising concerns about a retaliatory strike from the Islamic Republic; Germany has urged its citizens to leave Iran.