Ambassador Mike Huckabee urged staff considering departure to leave immediately, warning that flight availability may narrow amid rising uncertainty following stalled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The United States Embassy in Israel has authorized voluntary departures for personnel who wish to leave the country, as concerns mount over potential military escalation in the Middle East following stalled nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee informed embassy staff of the decision in an email sent Friday morning after discussions with officials in Washington. The message, described by an individual familiar with the communication but not authorized to publicly discuss it, encouraged employees contemplating departure to act without delay.
“Those wishing to take AD should do so TODAY,” Huckabee wrote, using the acronym for “authorized departure.”
“While there may be outbound flights over the coming days, there may not be,” he added.
According to the account provided, Huckabee emphasized there was no cause for panic but urged staff who preferred to depart to make immediate arrangements. Employees were advised to secure any available commercial flight out of Israel and then proceed to Washington.
The departure authorization follows the breakdown of recent nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, which concluded Thursday without an agreement. The developments come amid increased military positioning in the region, including the presence of U.S. aircraft and naval assets.
Commercial air travel has also begun to reflect the deteriorating security outlook. Netherlands-based airline KLM announced plans to suspend flights from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport. Other foreign missions in Israel and neighboring countries have similarly authorized or directed departures for diplomatic personnel and their families.
Australia earlier directed the departure of dependents of its officials stationed in Israel, citing the worsening regional security environment. India and several European nations have issued advisories urging citizens to avoid travel to Iran.
During a town hall meeting with embassy staff later Friday, Huckabee said he was encouraging airlines to maintain service in and out of Israel for as long as possible.
The authorization marks a heightened level of contingency planning by the United States amid uncertainty surrounding potential military action and regional retaliation scenarios.
Diplomatic efforts, however, continue. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has been mediating between Washington and Tehran, said Thursday that “significant progress” had been made during negotiations, though neither side has announced any formal breakthrough.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also spoke Thursday but offered few details, stating only that “what needs to happen has been clearly spelled out from our side.”
No evacuation order has been issued, and embassy operations continue. The authorized departure allows personnel to leave voluntarily without requiring all staff to exit the country, a measure often used during periods of heightened but uncertain risk.
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