The US travel advisory has urged American citizens to reconsider travel to Cyprus due to heightened security risks linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The US Department of State updated its travel guidance for Cyprus, warning of potential security threats. The same alert level applies to Americans in Saudi Arabia and Oman, according to the State Department.
Macron orders military deployment
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron announced in a televised address on Tuesday that he had ordered the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, its air wing and an accompanying frigate to sail towards the Mediterranean in response to the situation in the Middle East.
Macron also confirmed that France will provide air defence capabilities to Cyprus and that the French frigate Languedoc will head to the island.
Greek forces on standby
At the same time, two Greek frigates are expected to dock in Limassol on Wednesday morning (4/3). Four Greek F-16 fighter jets remain stationed at Paphos airport on five-minute readiness, tasked with responding immediately to any potential threats approaching Cypriot airspace.
The deployments underline growing regional concern as tensions continue to rise.
Explosions in Tehran
On the war front, explosions rocked Tehran early on Wednesday as the conflict involving the United States and Israel entered its fifth day.
Strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities preceded the blasts, followed by retaliatory actions by the Islamic Republic against Gulf states. Iranian state television reported explosions around the capital, while Israel activated its air defence systems in response to incoming missile attacks from Iran.
Five days into the fighting, nearly 800 people have died in Iran, including individuals whom former US President Donald Trump described as potential future leaders of the country.
Also read: How the conflict with Iran has evolved over the last 4 days
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