Jerusalem / Washington (Horn post) Tensions between Iran and the United States escalated further on Friday after the US Embassy in Israel authorized the immediate departure of its staff and urged Americans considering leaving the country to do so without delay.
In an internal email sent to embassy personnel, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee warned that deteriorating regional security conditions had prompted Washington to approve what is known as an “authorized departure,” allowing employees and eligible family members to leave Israel voluntarily.
“Anyone wishing to take authorized departure must do so TODAY,” Huckabee wrote, emphasizing urgency amid growing fears of a possible US military strike against Iran. He added that while outbound flights may still be available in the coming days, there was no guarantee they would continue.
The email, sent before 10:30 a.m. local time, encouraged staff to seek any available commercial flight out of Israel as soon as possible and then proceed to Washington. Details of the message were confirmed to Associated Press by a US official familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of internal diplomatic communications.
The embassy move comes as diplomatic and military tensions intensify following the breakdown of the latest round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States. President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned that military action remains an option should negotiations fail, while Iranian officials have rejected what they describe as threats and coercion.
In recent days, several countries have issued travel advisories warning their citizens to avoid or leave Israel and Iran, citing the risk of sudden escalation. Analysts say the US embassy’s authorization of staff departures is a strong indicator of heightened concern within Washington over regional stability and potential conflict scenarios.
While no official announcement of imminent military action has been made, the combination of stalled diplomacy, evacuation warnings, and increased military readiness has fueled speculation that the region may be entering a particularly volatile phase.
Prepared by:
Horn post staff reporter
