U.S. Evacuates Diplomats as Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates

• U.S. evacuates nonessential diplomats from Israel as Israel-Iran tensions rise.
• Trump warns of potential U.S. military action against Iran's nuclear program.
• State Department urges private U.S. citizens to leave Israel if safely possible.

The U.S. State Department has begun evacuating nonessential diplomats and their families from the U.S. embassy in Israel amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran.

 A government aircraft transported diplomats and their families who voluntarily requested evacuation, while some may have exited via land routes to Jordan or Egypt. The exact number of evacuees remains undisclosed.

Shortly after the evacuation, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced on X that plans were underway to assist private American citizens in departing by air and sea. However, the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs later clarified that no such evacuations for private citizens are active, though all options remain under consideration.

The department has been urging American citizens in Israel and the Palestinian territories to leave using commercial means while safe. The U.S. military's repositioning of aircraft and warships in the Middle East signals possible deepened U.S. involvement in the growing regional crisis. President Donald Trump has warned of potential U.S. military action against Iran, emphasizing his reluctance but readiness to strike if necessary.

Also Read: Iran-Israel War Escalates as Trump Calls for Tehran Exit

Evacuation orders and warnings have extended beyond Israel, with U.S. embassies in Baghdad and other parts of the Middle East authorizing departures for military dependents and nonessential personnel. The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem remains closed through Friday, with staff ordered to shelter in place. The situation reflects increasing fears of a wider regional conflict.