ISTANBUL

Moscow’s ambassador in Israel on Monday advised Russian citizens to leave the country until the situation surrounding the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran normalizes.

“We recommend that all Russian citizens who are in Israel leave the country until the situation here is normalized. This is an option,” Anatoly Viktorov told the state TV channel Rossiya-24 in an interview.

Describing the situation as “tense,” Viktorov declared that the danger to the lives and health of both diplomats and Russian citizens currently in Israel is “by no means ephemeral.”

Viktorov did not rule out the possibility of an evacuation of its citizens and embassy staff from the country, so long as Russians retain the opportunity to leave the country on their own.

“We are monitoring this closely and will make other decisions if necessary,” Viktorov further said, recommending that citizens leave the country and return to Russia via neighboring Egypt, which he noted as a route already used by “several dozen” Russians.

He also conveyed the presence of a land border with Jordan, but indicated the country’s airspace is closed and that "flights are canceled periodically."

The ambassador went on to say that while the embassy has not been hit directly, blast waves have broken several windows at the diplomatic mission, and that they have bolstered their work regime amid the developing situation.

He added that there is an understanding between Russia and the US on the necessity to return to a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict.

The latest escalation between Israel and Iran follows Israeli strikes Friday on Iranian nuclear and missile facilities that killed military commanders and scientists, prompting Iran to retaliate with ballistic missiles that caused Israeli casualties and property damage.