US Tells Israel Embassy Staff to Leave Immediately as Iran Strike Fears Mount

newsghana.com.gh · Feb 27, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Gettyimages The United States Embassy in Israel on Friday authorized non-emergency personnel and their family members to leave the country, with Ambassador Mike Huckabee urging those wishing to depart to do so without delay, as fears of an imminent American military strike on Iran intensified. Huckabee sent an email to the United States mission on Friday instructing staff who wished to leave to do so immediately. The guidance was issued following overnight meetings and consultations with the State Department, taken as a precautionary measure and with staff safety as the priority. He advised those departing to secure seats on outbound flights from Ben Gurion International Airport to any available destination, with onward connections to Washington. The State Department confirmed it had authorized the departure of non-emergency United States government personnel and family members from Israel, citing safety risks. It noted that the embassy may, without advance notice, further restrict or prohibit staff and their families from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank. The evacuation covers only non-essential staff. The ambassador, diplomats and personnel handling citizen assistance, security, military, political and intelligence affairs will remain in the country. The announcement coincided with the expected arrival of the United States Navy carrier group led by the USS Gerald R. Ford in northern Israel, as part of a wider military buildup in the Middle East. The United States also has approximately a dozen stealth F-22 Raptor fighter jets stationed at a base in southern Israel or en route, alongside at least nine aerial refuelling aircraft positioned at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport. The top United States military commander in the Middle East, Admiral Brad Cooper, who heads United States Central Command, briefed President Donald Trump on Thursday on potential military options against Iran in what was reported to be the first such briefing since the current crisis began in December. The developments came a day after a third round of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran ended in Geneva without a public breakthrough. American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner demanded the complete dismantlement of Iran’s primary nuclear facilities, Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, as part of any agreement, along with permanent restrictions on enrichment activities. Iran was reported to favour a temporary suspension lasting three to five years. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has been mediating the talks, said significant progress was made during the Geneva round, though officials from both sides have not announced concrete steps forward. Several countries have begun withdrawing diplomatic dependents and non-essential staff from parts of the Middle East. Britain announced it had temporarily withdrawn United Kingdom staff from Iran, citing the ongoing security situation. China advised its citizens to avoid travelling to Iran and urged those already in the country to evacuate, while Australia earlier this week directed the departure of all dependents of Australian officials posted to Israel. Iran’s armed forces spokesperson warned on Friday that any military action by the United States would result in a widespread regional confrontation and that American interests across the Middle East would fall within range of Iranian missiles. Send your news stories to [email protected] Follow News Ghana on Google News