The United States reportedly authorized embassy staff in Israel to depart the country Friday morning, as concerns intensified over the possibility of a U.S. strike on Iran. Ambassador Mike Huckabee issued a direct message to personnel, urging those who wish to leave to act immediately.
In a 10:24 a.m. local time email to employees, Huckabee said the decision followed overnight meetings and discussions with the State Department. He emphasized that the move was taken out of “an abundance of caution,” with the safety of staff as the top priority.
Those choosing to depart “should do so TODAY,” Huckabee wrote, according to the New York Times. He advised personnel to secure seats on outbound flights from Ben-Gurion Airport to any available destination.
“Focus on getting a seat to anyplace from which you can then continue travel to DC, but the first priority will be getting expeditiously out of country,” he wrote.
The embassy shifted to what is known as an “authorized departure” status. Under that posture, nonessential personnel and their dependents are permitted to leave at government expense when U.S. national interests or an imminent threat to life requires it. The designation stops short of a mandatory evacuation but signals heightened concern about security conditions.
“There is no need to panic,” Huckabee wrote in the message. “But for those desiring to leave, it’s important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later.”
The move comes as tensions in the region continue to escalate. Just one day earlier, six hours of talks in Geneva between Washington and Tehran ended without a breakthrough. Iranian officials said negotiations would resume next week. The White House declined to comment on the status of the discussions.
President Trump recently highlighted his administration’s efforts to confront Iran’s nuclear ambitions during his State of the Union address, drawing applause from lawmakers in attendance. Against that backdrop, speculation has grown about the potential for further U.S. action if diplomatic efforts fail.
At the same time, the State Department issued updated travel guidance, urging Americans to “reconsider travel” to Israel and the West Bank. The advisory cited “terrorism and civil unrest” as regional tensions mount.
While the authorized departure does not signal an immediate crisis, it underscores the seriousness of the moment. U.S. officials appear to be preparing for potential contingencies as diplomacy with Iran remains uncertain and security concerns persist.
By allowing voluntary departures and encouraging staff to leave promptly if they feel uncomfortable, the administration is signaling that it is closely monitoring developments and prioritizing the safety of American personnel on the ground.
For now, embassy operations continue under the adjusted status. But the message from Huckabee was clear: there is no cause for panic, yet those who wish to leave should not delay.
As talks with Tehran remain unresolved and regional tensions simmer, Washington is taking precautionary steps to protect its people — even as broader questions about the path forward with Iran remain unanswered.
