Dutch PM calls for preventing regional escalation in Mideast

THE HAGU -- The Dutch embassy in Tehran, Iran, and the consulate-general in Erbil, Iraq, will remain closed to the public until further notice, the Dutch Foreign Ministry said Sunday.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry on Saturday announced the one-day closure of those diplomatic facilities for Sunday as a precaution due to the rising tensions between Iran and Israel.

In a separate announcement on Sunday, the Foreign Ministry issued a Code Red travel alert urging its citizens to refrain from all travel to Israel.

Meanwhile, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said via social platform X that the Netherlands' National Security Council has just met by telephone to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

"It is essential that regional escalation is prevented," said the prime minister. "We will continue to monitor the situation extremely closely."