US Embassy Advises Non-Emergency Staff to Depart Israel
The US embassy in Israel has informed certain non-emergency personnel that they may leave the country due to increased concerns about the potential for war with Iran.
This announcement follows a day after Washington and Tehran engaged in talks widely regarded as a final attempt to prevent conflict over Iran's nuclear program.
The New York Times reported that US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sent an email to embassy staff early on Friday stating that those wishing to leave
"should do so TODAY".
He further emphasized that
"there was no need to panic, but for those desiring to leave, it's important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later".
Related Evacuations and International Advisories
This development comes just days after the US government ordered all non-essential personnel to exit its embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, on Monday following a security assessment.
Simultaneously, several countries including China, India, and Canada have advised their citizens to leave Iran promptly due to the escalating threat of hostilities.
Diplomatic Talks and Military Posturing
On Thursday, indirect negotiations between the US and Iran took place in Geneva, which Oman, the mediator, described as yielding
"significant progress". Further discussions are planned in the near future.
US President Donald Trump has issued warnings of military action against Tehran if a deal is not reached. He has authorized the most substantial US military buildup in the Middle East since the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. Meanwhile, Iran has pledged to respond forcefully to any attack.
