The US State Department has authorized employees of the American diplomatic mission in Israel to “expeditiously” leave the country, amid growing pressure on Iran in the Middle East, the latest sign that an attack could happen at any time.
“On February 27, 2026, the Department of State authorized the departure of non-essential US government employees and their family members from the US Mission in Israel due to security risks,” the ministry said in a statement.
In the warning, the department headed by Marco Rubio highlighted that the security situation in Israel, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, “is unpredictable” and US citizens are reminded to “remain vigilant and take appropriate measures to increase their security awareness, as incidents, including mortar and rocket fire, drone and missile incursions, can occur without prior warning.”
The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, also sent an email message to employees of the diplomatic mission this Friday (27), warning that, if they wish to leave the country, they must do so “immediately”, given the possible start of a conflict in the region. The statement was published by the newspaper The New York Times.
The US government’s decision comes after a new round of negotiations with Iran in Geneva and several overnight meetings and phone calls held by Huckabee, with the participation of the US State Department, in which officials agreed that the safety of embassy staff was a priority.
The announcement coincides with the arrival of the American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, the largest in the world, to the Israeli coast as part of the US military deployment in the Middle East, aiming for a possible attack on Iran.
