Iran has allegedly prepared over 100 cruise missiles and numerous drones for a possible retaliatory strike against Israel, according to reports in American media. Citing a US defense official, ABC News Network indicates this development comes in response to the April 1st attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, an incident that resulted in the deaths of seven IRGC members.
The heightened tensions have placed Israel on high alert, following Iran's public vow to retaliate. The situation has prompted multiple nations, including India, France, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Russia, to issue travel warnings for the Middle East region. These advisories specifically mention Iran and Israel, urging citizens to avoid or curtail travel plans due to the volatile situation.
India's Ministry of External Affairs explicitly advised its citizens to exercise extreme caution and limit their movements within the two countries.
The current escalation is occurring against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Since the Israeli military campaign began on October 7th, 2023, there have been repeated strikes targeting Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iranian Revolutionary Guard figures within Syria and Lebanon.
The Gaza conflict itself has resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and an estimated 33,000 Palestinian fatalities, with a disproportionately high number of women and children among the casualties.
