New Delhi [India], March 3 (ANI): Amid the escalating tensions across the West Asia region, the US State Department updated the travel advisory for Qatar, Kuwait and other Middle Eastern countries to reflect the ordered departure of non-emergency US government personnel and family members of government personnel.Secretary Marco Rubio and the US Department of State have urged Americans across Middle Eastern countries to leave immediately due to “serious safety risks” amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.”

Secretary Marco Rubio and Department of State urges Americans to DEPART NOW from the countries below using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks. Americans who need State Department assistance arranging to depart via commercial means, CALL US 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) and +1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada).

ENROLL in http://step.state.gov to get the latest security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate,” Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar posted on X.The advisory includes countries such as Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen.The US Embassy in Jerusalem said that it was not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel.

The embassy informed that the Israeli Ministry of Tourism has initiated operating shuttles to the Taba Border Crossing as of March 2.”To be added to the passenger list for a shuttle, you must register via the Ministry’s evacuation form. The US Embassy cannot make any recommendation (for or against) the Ministry of Tourism’s shuttle. If you choose to avail yourself of this option to depart, the U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety. The information is provided as a courtesy to those wishing to leave Israel. Passengers who wish to cross to Jordan may take the shuttle to Eilat and continue independently (by taxi) to the Yitzhak Rabin Border Crossing,” the embassy posted on X.As this happened, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) completed additional waves of strikes in western Iran targeting the Iranian regime’s missile launchers, defence systems, and live-fire arrays.Meanwhile, the US embassy in Riyadh was hit by two drones, Al Jazeera reported Saudi authorities as saying. As this happened, the US Consulate in Dhahran urged citizens to take cover.”There is a threat of imminent missile and UAV attacks over Dhahran. Do not come to the US Consulate. Take cover immediately in your residence on the lowest available floor and away from windows. Do not go outside. The U.S. Consulate in Dhahran urges US citizens in Dhahran to shelter in place, review security plans in the event of an attack, and to stay alert in case of additional future attacks. U.S. Consulate personnel are sheltering in place,” the embassy posted on X.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Doha on Tuesday issued an advisory for the Indian community in Qatar, asking them to remain indoors and stay safe. The Indian Embassy said that residents are urged to rely only on verified information issued by the Qatari authorities through official channels.”The Indian community is requested to closely follow news and guidance issued by Qatari authorities through official channels. Residents are urged to rely only on verified and official information.

The Ministry of Interior of Qatar has emphasised the importance of remaining. indoors and staying in safe, enclosed places to safeguard public safety. Residents are advised not to go out except in cases of extreme necessity,” the Embassy of India in Doha posted on X. The Indian Embassy urged all Indian nationals to adhere to the instructions provided by Qatar’s Ministry of Interior. It said that passengers should refrain from proceeding to the Hamad international airport without checking with their respective airlines for the latest updates.”All Indian nationals are strongly urged to strictly adhere to these instructions.

The Qatar Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that Qatari airspace remains closed. Accordingly, operations at Hamad International Airport are suspended and will resume once the Authority announces the safe reopening of airspace. Passengers are advised not to proceed to the airport and to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates,” the embassy said.”The Embassy remains in close contact with the concerned authorities and is committed to the safety and welfare of all Indian nationals.

Indian nationals are advised to remain calm, stay indoors, follow local authority guidelines, and avoid unnecessary movement,” the statement read.Meanwhile, Qatar has strongly condemned Iranian attacks on US Embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that the two embassies contravene international agreements and diplomatic norms.”

The State of Qatar strongly condemns the Iranian attacks that targeted the embassies of the United States in Riyadh and Kuwait, deeming them a blatant violation of international conventions and laws. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses that the Iranian attacks on the two embassies contravene international agreements and diplomatic norms that criminalise assaults on diplomatic missions and grant immunity to their premises and staff,” Qatar’s MFA said in a statement.”

The Ministry affirms the State of Qatar’s full solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the State of Kuwait in all measures they take to safeguard their security and the safety of their territories,” the statement further said.The conflict in the Middle East has entered its fourth day following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, along with other key figures in the Persian Gulf country. In retaliation, Tehran has responded with counter-strikes targeting American military bases and other Israeli assets across the region. (ANI)

Heavy security deployed outside US Consulate in Lahore

Karachi [Pakistan], March 3 (ANI): Heavy security has been deployed outside the US Consulate in Lahore on Tuesday, following violent nationwide protests.The unrest was triggered by the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a joint US-Israel airstrike on February 28.

At least nine people died after clashes broke out between Pakistani police and protesters who breached the outer wall of the US Consulate in Karachi on March 1st. Civil Hospital Karachi’s (CHK) trauma centre executive director Mohammad Sabir Memon told Dawn that nine men had died while 32 others were injured in the wake of protests near the consulate.Dawn reported citing a statement by Edhi that law enforcement personnel resorted to teargas shelling and baton-charge to control the situation.

Earlier, police surgeon Summaiya Syed told Dawn that six bodies were brought to CHK and stated that two injured policemen were among those brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for treatment.The two policemen were injured by “hard and blunt instruments”, while “two protesters with firearm injuries” were also brought to JPMC, the surgeon told Dawn.

Sindh’s Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar sought immediate details about the situation from Karachi Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Azad Khan, a statement from his office said, as per Dawn.Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva, said that they were monitoring developments in the Middle East.”We are closely monitoring developments in the Middle East.

So far, we have observed disruptions to trade and economic activity, surges in energy prices, and volatility in financial markets. The situation remains highly fluid and adds to an already uncertain global economic environment. It is too early to assess the economic impact on the region and the global economy. That impact will depend on the extent and duration of the conflict. We will provide a comprehensive assessment in our April World Economic Outlook,” the statement read.

Head of the Centre for Public Diplomacy and Spokesperson in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Iran, Esmaeil Baqaei, said that 171 girls died in Minab.In a post on X, he said, “The U.S./Israel attack on Tehran’s Gandhi Hospital — following the bombing of schools and the Massacre of 171 innocent girls in the city of Minab — comes despite the aggressors’ claims of possessing the most advanced military hardware and precision-targeting systems. The deliberate targeting and destruction of civilian infrastructure, medical facilities, schools, and media institutions by the United States and Israel, with the aim of paralyzing civilian life, constitute blatant war crime and crimes against humanity. o responsible state can remain silent in the face of these atrocities.”

Meanwhile, the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog said that inspectors have not found evidence of a coordinated Iranian programme to build nuclear weapons despite Israeli and US claims. (ANI)

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