The U.S. Embassy in Israel is restricting its employees from traveling amid heightened tensions in the region between Israel and Iran.
“Due to the increased regional tensions, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice,” the embassy said in a Thursday security alert.
The update comes a day after the Trump administration announced Wednesday that it is scaling back the number of personnel in the Middle East amid the growing conflict between Israel and Iran. President Trump confirmed the move to reporters Wednesday but gave no further details.
“Well, they are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we’ll see what happens,” Trump said, adding later that “we’ve given notice to move out.”
The U.S. has also recently started downsizing its presence in Iraq, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has greenlighted the voluntary departures of military dependents across northeast Africa, the Middle East and portions of South and Central Asia.
“President Trump is committed to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad,” a State Department official told The Hill in a statement Wednesday. “In keeping with that commitment, we are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies.”
In Thursday’s alert, the U.S. Embassy in Israel stated it “reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness — including knowing the location of the nearest shelter in the event of a red alert as security incidents, including mortar, rocket, and missile fire, and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) intrusions, often take place without any warning.”
The advisory also comes as nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran have largely remained stalled. Another round of talks in Oman is expected to take place later this week.
Asked Wednesday how to calm tensions in the region, Trump responded, “Very simple: They can’t have a nuclear weapon.”