KUWAIT — In the most serious escalation in months between Israel and Iran, the United States and Israel announced strikes on Iranian targets, triggering a wave of security measures across the region, including airspace closures, suspended civilian flights and tightened diplomatic movements amid fears of a broader conflict.Israel announced Saturday the closure of its airspace to civilian aviation following the strike. Transport Minister Miri Regev said the decision came “after security developments,” as air raid sirens sounded in Jerusalem.Iran, in turn, announced the closure of its airspace “until further notice,” according to its Civil Aviation Authority.Iraq also closed its airspace to civilian navigation amid concerns over the widening scope of military operations, disrupting regional air traffic and raising the likelihood of international flight diversions or cancellations.US precautionary measuresCoinciding with the Israeli strike, the US Embassy in Qatar ordered all its personnel to remain in their residences and advised American citizens to do the same until further notice, citing what it described as “serious security developments.”Earlier, the United States had called on non-essential staff at its embassy in Israel and their family members to depart, amid warnings by US President Donald Trump about the possibility of a strike on Iran as negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program continued.Trump said further talks with Iran were expected and reaffirmed his preference for reaching an agreement, but stressed that Tehran “cannot have a nuclear weapon.” He added that while he does not favor the use of military force, “sometimes it becomes necessary.”The developments come after a round of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran that was described as a last opportunity to avoid military confrontation.Several countries have reduced their diplomatic presence in Iran and Israel and urged their nationals to leave or strengthen security precautions, as regional tensions mount and concerns grow over a slide into a wider military conflict.
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