๏ธ As the conflict in the Middle East escalates and disrupts global air travel, governments worldwide are stepping up repatriation flights from the region. A Lufthansa Airbus A340-300 chartered by the German government landed in Frankfurt on Thursday morning after departing from Muscat, Oman. The passengers, selected by German authorities, had been stranded in the Gulf region after a U.S. attack on Iran halted air travel, with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stating the flight prioritized vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and people with illnesses.
๏ธ Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi issued a statement on Thursday, the first official acknowledgement from Iran of the sinking of the IRIS Dena frigate by a U.S. submarine in the Indian Ocean. Araghchi claimed, "The U.S. has perpetrated an atrocity at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran's shores," and warned, "Mark my words: The U.S. will come to bitterly regret the precedent it has set." This incident adds to the tensions, with Iran launching new attacks on Israeli and American bases, while Israel reported missile attacks and air sirens in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
๏ธ The Israeli military (IDF) announced it had begun a large-scale wave of strikes against infrastructure of what it described as the "Iranian terror regime" across Tehran, with Iranian state media reporting explosions in Tehran and Karaj. Earlier, Israel also targeted Iran-backed Hezbollah in strikes on Beirut, Lebanon, where Lebanese state media reported several strikes in Hezbollah strongholds. These developments highlight the rapid escalation and broadening scope of the conflict, with no initial reports of injuries or damage from the latest exchanges.
๏ธ At a meeting in Canberra, the prime ministers of Australia and Canada urged a de-escalation of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran but emphasized that Tehran must never possess a nuclear weapon. Canadian PM Mark Carney allegedly stated, "We want to see a broader de-escalation of these hostilities," while Australian PM Anthony Albanese purportedly added, "We want to see the possibility of Iran getting a nuclear weapon removed once and for all." Their comments reflect international concerns over the conflict's spillover and Iran's nuclear ambitions, even as they call for restraint.
๏ธ In response to the crisis, nations including Australia, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States, and Russia are organizing special evacuation flights for their citizens. Some countries are chartering commercial planes, while others are deploying military aircraft, evacuating nationals from countries such as Oman, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This global effort underscores the widespread impact of the conflict on civilian travel and safety, as governments scramble to protect their citizens amid the volatile situation.
Source: www.dw.com