The Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement early on 21/2, advising its citizens not to travel to Iran due to the deteriorating security situation. Citizens currently in Iran are urged to leave as soon as possible. Serbia had previously advised its citizens to leave Iran and avoid traveling there in January, when Tehran experienced large-scale protests.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard issued a similar appeal on the same day, urging people still in Iran to leave quickly. She described the situation in the country and the region as "very unstable". Stenergard emphasized that individuals can still leave Iran by air and through border crossings, but those who choose to remain must bear significant personal responsibility, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will not be able to assist with evacuation.
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Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard on 10/2. *Photo: AFP*
The warnings from Serbia and Sweden come amidst escalating tensions between the US and Iran. US President Donald Trump said on 20/2 that he was considering a limited military strike on Iran if the two sides failed to reach a nuclear agreement. On 19/2, President Trump had issued a 10-15 day deadline for Tehran to achieve a nuclear deal, warning that otherwise it would face "really bad things". White House spokesperson Anna Kelly on the same day declined to comment on potential US options, stating, "only President Trump knows what he wants to do."
Reuters quoted two US officials on the same day as Trump's statement on 20/2, indicating that the country's military plans targeting Iran had been highly prepared. These plans include options for selective attacks on individuals and even consider the possibility of regime change in Tehran. US forces currently near Iran include two carrier strike groups, comprising at least 13 warships, over 60 fighter jets, and numerous support and refueling aircraft. This represents an unprecedented level of US air and naval presence in the Middle East in decades.
By Ngoc Anh (According to AFP, AA, Times of Israel)
