India Advises Against Travel To Iran, Israel Until Further Notice

India advised its citizens on Friday against travelling to Iran and Israel until further notice in view of the "prevailing situation in the region".

The advisory from the foreign ministry came amid Iran's threats to retaliate against an Israeli airstrike on its consulate in Syria this month.

Countries including the US and Russia have issued similar travel advisories for their staff and citizens in the region.

India's foreign ministry said its citizens in the two countries should observe "utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum".

It is feared that retaliation by Iran can widen the six-month old conflict between Iran-backed Hamas militants and Israel in Gaza.

The US has reached out to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Iraq, asking them to urge Iran to lower tensions with Israel, as part of its efforts to contain the conflict.

The region and the United States have been on alert for an attack by Iran since April 1, when Israeli warplanes bombed the Iranian embassy compound.

On Thursday, Germany's Lufthansa extended a suspension of its flights to Tehran with the Middle East on alert for the possible Iranian retaliation.

(Reporting by Reuters)