Due to the possibility of an attack on Iran, the US Embassy in Israel has allowed non-essential personnel to leave the country.
The U.S. Embassy announced on its website Friday that the State Department had allowed non-emergency personnel and their families to leave “due to security risks.”
The embassy went on to say that “you may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available.”
CNN has contacted the State Department for more information.
The announcement came on the day the aircraft carrier Gerald Ford carrier strike group is expected to arrive in northern Israel as part of the U.S. military buildup in the Middle East ahead of a possible attack on Iran.
CNN previously reported that the US also has 12 stealth F-22 fighter jets at bases or in flight in southern Israel, and at least nine tanker planes on the tarmac of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport.
The United States and Iran have held a series of high-stakes talks toward a new nuclear deal, including the latest meeting in Geneva on Thursday. However, it is unclear whether a deal is possible given the wide rift between Washington and the Iranian government.
U.S. special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner called for the complete dismantling of Iran’s major nuclear facilities (Fordor, Natanz, and Isfahan) and the permanent continuation of limits on nuclear enrichment as part of the deal. Iran, meanwhile, was expected to submit a proposal that would simply halt enrichment for three to five years until President Donald Trump leaves office.
On Friday, Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, the main mediator in the negotiations, was scheduled to brief Vice President Vance in Washington on the latest efforts toward a deal.
However, despite ostensibly diplomatic efforts underway, US Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper briefed President Trump on potential military options in Iran.
