New Delhi/IBNS: The Centre Friday advised citizens to avoid travelling to Iran and Israel until further notice given the "prevailing situation in the region".

The advisory from the foreign ministry came amid Iran's threats to retaliate against a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy in Syria this month.

In the wake of the threat, the US and Russia have issued similar travel advisories for their staff and citizens in the region.

The foreign ministry advised its citizens in the two countries to observe "utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum".

It is feared that retaliation by Iran can widen the six-month-old conflict between Iran-backed Hamas militants and Israel in Gaza.