U.S. pulls staff from Israel as negotiations continue with Iran

Feb. 27 (UPI) — The United States is pulling some non-emergency staff and their families out of Israel with the possibility of a strike on Iran still on the table Friday.

The U.S. State Department authorized the removal of non-essential diplomatic staff due to “safety risks.” It did not go into detail about what those risks are but the United States and Iran continue to negotiate a nuclear deal under continued tension.

“Persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available,” the State Department said in its new guidance. “In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. Embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank.”

President Donald Trump and the Pentagon have sent military forces to the region in recent weeks. U.S. and Iranian negotiators met again in Geneva this week seeking to come to an agreement. Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have headed the talks for the Trump administration.

Trump aims to have Iran pare down its nuclear program. If it does not, he has threatened military action.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in an email to embassy workers that the decision to authorize some staff to leave followed a series of overnight calls and meetings. Iran has not been mentioned by Huckabee or the State Department directly.

Huckabee wrote that those who wish to leave Israel “should do so TODAY,” though he added “There is no need to panic.” He also warned that it is not a certainty that flights leaving Israel will be available in coming days.

KLM, a Dutch airline, has already paused flights to Israel.

On Monday, the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon ordered all non-emergency personnel and family members to leave. The State Department has also issued a travel advisory for Americans, directing them to “reconsider travel” to Israel and the West Bank. It cites “terrorism and civil unrest” as the reason for the advisory.