The escalating conflict between Israel and Iran is prompting a wave of embassy closures, evacuations, and heightened security measures across the Middle East and beyond, as foreign governments respond to growing risks for diplomatic personnel and citizens.
In Israel, an Iranian missile that struck the central town of Ramat Gan on Thursday shattered a window at the Dutch embassy, though no injuries were reported, according to the Dutch foreign ministry. The Austrian embassy, also located in Tel Aviv, confirmed it was unaffected by the same strike.
Just 200 meters from the Lithuanian embassy, buildings were hit by Iranian missiles, prompting Lithuania to evacuate the families of its diplomats and non-essential staff, a foreign ministry spokesperson said.

Kenya raised concerns after the explosion occurred just a few hundred meters from its embassy. "Foreign missions are inviolable under international law and must be excluded and protected from armed conflict at all times," said Korir Sing'Oei, principal secretary at Kenya's foreign affairs ministry. Kenya's ambassador to Israel confirmed that embassy staff had been working remotely and were safe.
As concerns over further escalation mount, China announced it will begin evacuating its citizens from Israel, starting Friday. The Chinese embassy in Israel will transport evacuees to the Taba crossing into Egypt. A statement from the embassy warned that the conflict was intensifying, with casualties rising and "the possibility of further deterioration cannot be ruled out."

The United States is also facilitating evacuations, with Ambassador Mike Huckabee saying on Wednesday that Americans seeking to leave Israel will be offered flights and cruise ship options. He urged U.S. citizens to register with the State Department for real-time updates.
Australia and New Zealand have likewise taken action, with Australia evacuating a small number of its citizens from Israel. New Zealand's embassy staff have left Iran, although both governments have warned that the closed airspace severely limits their ability to assist the thousands of citizens seeking to leave. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Thursday that 1,500 Australians in Iran and another 1,200 in Israel had registered for help.

The United Kingdom announced that family members of embassy and consulate staff in Israel have been temporarily withdrawn due to the "significant risks" posed by the conflict. France is preparing to assist citizens in both Israel and Iran, with plans to transport French nationals in Iran to neighboring countries such as Turkey and Armenia for onward travel.

Israel, for its part, has closed embassies worldwide and suspended consular services following its large-scale attacks on Iran. Embassy websites have issued alerts urging Israeli citizens abroad to avoid displaying national or Jewish symbols and to cooperate with local security authorities if targeted.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria has shut down its embassy in Tehran and evacuated staff and their families to Azerbaijan. The move follows Israeli warnings to evacuate parts of Tehran, according to Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.