A first charter flight carrying Austrian citizens stranded in Iran is scheduled to arrive in Vienna Wednesday evening, as Austria’s National Security Council convened today to address the escalating crisis in the Middle East. The move follows a massive joint military operation by Israel and the United States against targets within Iran over the weekend, prompting heightened security measures across Austria.
The Austrian Foreign Ministry confirmed that 246 Austrian nationals remain in Iran, with two registered as tourists. As of late Tuesday, the ministry reported no information regarding injuries or fatalities among Austrian citizens. A dedicated emergency hotline (+43 1 90115 4411) has been established to assist those with family members in the affected region.
Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger stated that the “top priority in this crisis is the safety of Austrian citizens,” and emphasized close coordination with Austrian embassies in the region to provide rapid support. The ministry has also adjusted its travel warning for Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iran, and Iraq, raising the alert level to the highest tier.
The Austrian Airlines (AUA) has suspended several flights to and from the region. Flights to Tel Aviv, Amman, and Erbil are cancelled through March 7th, while services to Tehran remain suspended until the end of March.
The crisis follows reports, initially reported by Israeli assessments, that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei may have been killed in the recent attacks. Iranian Foreign Minister has disputed these reports. Adding to the complexity, reports emerged Tuesday that Khamenei’s son has been appointed as the new Supreme Leader of Iran, according to sources including Heute.at.
Chancellor Christian Stocker expressed his “greatest concern” regarding the developments, prioritizing the protection of civilians and calling for a return to negotiations and de-escalation. A crisis task force was established at the Foreign Ministry on Saturday morning to continuously monitor and assess the situation.
The situation is further complicated by reports of increased tensions in other areas of the region. Israel has reportedly launched attacks on Hezbollah targets in Beirut, and US President Donald Trump has indicated a potential escalation of military action against Iran, stating, “The big wave is coming soon,” according to CNN.
The Austrian government has not yet issued a statement regarding potential further actions, and the National Security Council is expected to continue its deliberations.
