Government warns Dutch in Iran and Israel to stay safe after strikes on Iran

The Netherlands is urging its citizens to exercise caution following Israeli and U.S. strikes on multiple locations in Iran, where explosions have been reported in several cities. Dutch authorities warned travelers and residents in the region to avoid potential targets and stay in contact with family and friends.

Prime Minister Rob Jetten also addressed the situation Saturday at a D66 party congress in Nieuwegein. “It is clear that we are now dealing with an escalation of violence that we hope does not spiral further out of control. We will monitor this closely, because I fear this is not over yet,” he said.

Jetten described Iran’s government as a “brutal regime” but stressed that the current attacks alone are unlikely to bring about a regime change. “A regime change requires more than just the attacks we see now,” he added.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tom Berendsen told ANP, “The Netherlands calls on all parties to exercise restraint and prevent further escalation. Stability in the region is essential.” He added that the Dutch government is monitoring developments in Iran, Israel, and the wider region and is maintaining close contact with its embassies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised Dutch citizens in Iran to avoid possible targets, keep family and friends informed of their whereabouts, and contact a designated assistance number if help is needed. “We are closely monitoring developments,” the ministry said. Iran has long been classified as red on the Dutch travel advisory scale.

Travel guidance for Israel was also updated due to the risk of escalation from U.S. troop deployments and the attacks on Iran. Most of the country is now orange, meaning only strictly necessary travel is recommended. The ministry warned that airspace could close and that drone or missile attacks remain a risk, particularly in areas such as the Golan Heights and Gaza Strip, which are already red.

Dutch embassies in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories have similarly advised citizens to stay informed, be prepared for emergencies, and avoid high-risk areas. Several other countries have taken comparable measures: Germany strongly advised against travel to Israel, while Poland instructed citizens to leave Israel, Iran, and Lebanon immediately due to “unstable security conditions” and a high risk of escalation.