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Israel shuttered its diplomatic missions around the world Friday and advised citizens to avoid displaying Jewish or Israeli symbols in public following large-scale military strikes against Iran that have escalated tensions across the Middle East.
The closures affect Israeli embassies globally, with statements posted on embassy websites announcing the suspension of consular services. Officials provided no timeline for when normal operations would resume.
"In light of recent developments, Israeli missions around the world will be closed and consular services will not be provided," the statement said. Citizens were urged to remain vigilant and cooperate with local security forces if confronted with hostile activity.
Security was visibly increased at Jewish sites across Europe, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announcing stepped-up protection after speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Police vehicles were stationed outside Stockholm's Great Synagogue as authorities heightened precautions.
The embassy shutdowns came after Israel launched what it described as strikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and missile factories. The Israeli military said it hit approximately 100 targets using 200 fighter jets, killing senior Iranian military figures, including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami.
The strikes targeted Iran's uranium enrichment program, with Netanyahu saying his forces hit "the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme." The attack damaged the underground enrichment facility at Natanz and killed six nuclear scientists, according to Israeli and Iranian reports.
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