Don't use train for next 12 hours for sake of your security, Israel warns Iranians

A late-night warning from Israel has raised fresh concerns, asking people across Iran to avoid trains and railway lines, hinting at potential risks as tensions in the region continue to escalate.

In Short

• Advisory asks people to avoid trains and railway lines for 12 hours
• Warning comes into effect from 21:00 Tehran time (11 pm IST)
• Railway operations in Iran's Mashhad stopped following warning

In a stark advisory amid ongoing hostilities, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has urged people across Iran to avoid trains and railway lines, warning that their lives could be at risk.

The warning, issued on Tuesday via its Persian-language account on X, asked civilians to refrain from using rail transport for a defined period.

"For the sake of your security, we kindly request that from this moment until 21:00 Iran time (11 pm IST), you refrain from using and travelling by train throughout Iran," the military said.

"Your presence on trains and near railway lines endangers your life".

An accompanying graphic shared by the Israeli military carried the same message in Persian, marking it as an "urgent warning" to train users and passengers across Iran. The visual stressed avoiding trains and railway tracks, echoing the written advisory.

Meanwhile, Fars news agency reported that railway operations in Iran's Mashhad have reportedly stopped due to safety risks following Israel’s warning. The advisory signalled potential targeting of transport networks amid escalating conflict, though no official Iranian confirmation of the shutdown has been issued.

The Israeli warning comes as Israel, along with the US, remains engaged in a conflict with Iran following initial attacks on February 28. The situation has continued to escalate, with both sides exchanging threats and military actions.

The advisory does not mention any particular regions or railway routes, leaving uncertainty over the exact nature of the risk. There has been no immediate response from Iranian authorities to the warning.

The language of the message, however, signals heightened concern, especially as it directly addresses civilians and transport use across the country.

- Ends
With inputs from Reuters