Topline
The U.S. Embassy in Israel told staffers to leave “sooner rather than later” Friday as President Donald Trump weighs a possible attack on Iran, coinciding with a build up of military forces in the region.
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee (L) speaks to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) at the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, on October 13, 2025 in Jerusalem. (Photo by Saul Loeb – Pool/Getty Images)
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Key Facts
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told staff if they want to leave, they should “do so TODAY,” adding, “there is no need to panic” and the directive was issued out of “an abundance of caution,” according to multiple reports.
Citing “terrorism and civil unrest,” the State Department also issued a travel advisory Friday urging Americans to “reconsider travel” to Israel and the West Bank.
Israel could be a target for retaliation from Iran if the U.S. attacks.
Huckabee said the U.S. government would pay for embassy staffers and their families to leave under an “authorized departure” classification, which occurs when “U.S. national interests or imminent threat to life require it,” reports said.
The directive comes as the U.S. urges Iran to enter into a new agreement to scale back its nuclear program.
No solution has been announced as officials from both countries have held several rounds of talks over the past two weeks, with the latest negotiations ending Thursday.
Tangent
The U.S. embassy in Lebanon ordered all non-emergency personnel and their families to leave on Monday.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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