𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Indian embassy in Iran this morning has asked all Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin to move out of Tehran to a safe location using their own resources.

“All Indian Nationals who are in Tehran and not in touch with the Embassy are requested to contact the Embassy of India in Tehran immediately and provide their location and contact numbers,” the embassy said on X.

More than 10,000 Indian nationals are believed to be living across cities in Iran, according to The Wire, an Indian news website.

The US embassy in Jerusalem said that, given the crisis in Israel, it will be closed today and is unable to evacuate or directly assist American nationals wishing to depart Israel.

“The US Embassy is not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel,” the embassy said in a statement on its website.

Ben Gurion Airport in Israel “remains closed, and there are no commercial or charter flights operating from there,” it said, adding that the seaports in Israel were also closed.

The embassy also directed that all US government employees and their family members continue to shelter in place in and near their residences until further notice.

The US is discussing with Iran the possibility of a meeting this week between envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss a nuclear deal and an end to the war between Israel and Iran, Axios reported.

The report comes after French president Emmanuel Marcon said that his American counterpart, Donald Trump, has offered to broker a ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

British maritime security firm Ambrey said this morning that it was aware of an incident 22 nautical miles east of Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, near the Strait of Hormuz, as Israel and Iran attack each other for a fifth straight day.

The firm, however, did not elaborate on the incident.

The Strait lies between Oman and Iran and links the Gulf north of it with the Gulf of Oman to the south and the Arabian Sea beyond.

About a fifth of the world’s total oil consumption passes through the strait.

Between the start of 2022 and last month, roughly 17.8 million to 20.8 million barrels of crude, condensate and fuels flowed through the strait daily, according to data from Vortexa.

The G7 leaders have issued a joint statement calling for the “de-escalation” of the Iran-Israel crisis while expressing support for Israel’s actions in the Middle East.

“We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself,” the statement said.

“We have been consistently clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

“We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza.”

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth has claimed that president Donald Trump is still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran even as hostilities have escalated between Tehran and Israel.

“Of course,” Mr Hegseth said on Fox News when asked if Mr Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran.

“We are postured defensively in the region to be strong in pursuit of a peace deal. And we certainly hope that’s what happens here,” Mr Hegseth said.

In a social media post yesterday, Mr Trump said, “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran,” citing what he said was the country’s rejection of a deal to curb nuclear weapons development.

Explosions were heard in the Iranian capital Tehran this morning, state media reported.

The report comes after Iran fired several missile barrages toward Israel overnight.

French president Emmanuel Macron has said that his American counterpart Donald Trump has made an offer to negotiate a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

“There is indeed an offer to meet and exchange. An offer was made especially to get a ceasefire and to then kick-start broader discussions,” Mr Macron told reporters at the G7.

“We have to see now whether the sides will follow.”