Flights are still operating — for now…
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has told American embassy staff in Israel that if they plan to leave, they should do so immediately.
In an email sent Friday to embassy employees and their families, Huckabee said those who want to depart amid rising tensions over Iran “should do so TODAY” while commercial flights are still operating. He warned that flight availability could shrink quickly as the security situation remains uncertain.
“There is no need to panic,” Huckabee wrote. But he made clear that waiting could limit options, especially as airlines review service to the region. He encouraged those considering departure to accept passage to any country first.
The message reflects a sober calculation — it is easier to leave before fighting begins than to scramble once conflict erupts, as Mediaite’s David Gilmour explains:
“Focus on getting a seat to anyplace from which you can then continue travel to DC, but the first priority will be getting expeditiously out of country,” he wrote.
The move comes a day after six hours of talks in Geneva between Washington and Tehran ended without a breakthrough. Iranian officials said negotiations would continue next week, while the White House declined to comment on the status of discussions.
The State Department also urged Americans to “reconsider travel” to Israel and the West Bank, citing “terrorism and civil unrest,” as regional tensions escalate.
Authorized Departure in effect
The advisory follows a broader Authorized Departure (AD) status for the U.S. Embassy in Israel. Under AD, nonessential personnel and eligible family members may depart at government expense if they choose. It is not a mandatory evacuation, but it signals that conditions could deteriorate.
Other governments have issued similar guidance. Several countries have advised their citizens to consider leaving Israel as airlines suspend or scale back flights. Some foreign missions have also begun reducing staff levels.
Authorized departures are not routine. They are typically reserved for periods of heightened risk, such as conflict, political instability, or security threats. In this case, the backdrop is the sharp escalation in regional tensions tied to Iran.
Nuclear talks stall, military posture shifts
The immediate context is the breakdown of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and growing concern that military action could follow. Diplomacy has stalled, and speculation about a possible U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran has intensified.
In recent weeks, U.S. forces have dramatically increased their presence in the region, deploying significant firepower. The scale of the buildup has drawn comparisons to the level of preparedness not seen since the early stages of the Iraq War in 2003.
None of this indicates that military action is imminent. But it does suggest that Washington is positioning itself for a range of outcomes if talks with Tehran remain deadlocked.
A precaution, not a panic
Huckabee’s tone was urgent but measured. He did not describe an immediate threat to embassy personnel. Instead, he framed the guidance as a precaution in an unpredictable environment.
Still, he emphasized that those who wish to leave should act quickly today, given the possibility of shrinking commercial options and a rapidly changing security landscape.
For non-emergency U.S. staff in Israel, the message is simple: If you are considering leaving, don’t wait another moment.
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Considering what the Iranian government has threatened, why would anyone not part of the military NOT want to ‘get while the getting is good’.
Don’t leave … expect what comes!