Embassy coordinating flights and cruise ships as missile threats continue across the region…
JERUSALEM — The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is launching evacuation operations for American citizens trapped in Israel as war with Iran intensifies. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed Wednesday that the embassy is organizing both evacuation flights and cruise ship departures to assist thousands of Americans currently stranded amid a rapidly deteriorating security environment.
Americans Urged to Enroll in STEP
Huckabee urged U.S. nationals to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to ensure they receive timely updates and evacuation instructions.
Politico has more on the most recent developments in the Middle East:
The U.S. had been holding off on organizing any flights out of Israel for American citizens as Israel and Iran trade blows. Just nine hours before Huckabee’s announcement, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem wrote on its X account that it had “no announcement about assisting private U.S. citizens to depart at this time,” though it acknowledged that “the Department of State is always planning for contingencies to assist with private U.S. citizens’ departure from crisis areas.”
But the announcement follows several days of signaling from President Donald Trump and the White House that it is mulling intervening in the ongoing fighting between Israel and Iran to take out Iranian nuclear facilities buried underground.
Israel lacks the necessary bombs and aircraft to take out many of Iran’s nuclear facilities, which Tehran has constructed underground to avoid attacks, and as such would need U.S. help in bombing the sites. Israel has argued its strikes are necessary to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon; Iran, which maintains a civilian nuclear program, has denied that it is enriching nuclear material with the intention of building a nuclear warhead.
Trump on Wednesday said he’s still undecided about whether to strike. “Nobody knows what I’m going to do,” the president told reporters at the White House.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, however, vowed that the U.S. would face “irreparable” harm if it entered the budding conflict militarily.
Estimates place the American population in Israel at roughly 700,000 — many of whom hold dual nationality. That number swells further when including U.S. citizens in neighboring countries now bracing for spillover violence.
Missile Defenses Strained, Airstrikes Continue
The evacuation plan arrives as Israel’s Arrow-2 and Arrow-3 missile interceptor stockpiles show signs of depletion following days of continuous Iranian strikes. In response, the U.S. has stepped up regional missile defense efforts, deploying THAAD systems and using Aegis-equipped naval destroyers to intercept incoming threats. The tempo of defense operations has surged since last Friday, with much of the burden now carried by American military assets.
In parallel, Israeli fighter jets have launched sustained airstrikes on Iranian missile infrastructure — likely a tactical move intended to slow Tehran’s launch tempo and buy time for defense systems to recover. Intelligence reports suggest Iran’s remaining missile stockpile could drop below 500 by early next week if current rates continue.
Deteriorating Conditions Trigger Evacuation
Observers cite the escalating tit-for-tat strikes between Israel and Iran, along with the regional spread of hostilities, as key drivers behind the evacuation order. With no immediate diplomatic off-ramp in sight, and as safe zones shrink, the State Department and embassy are moving quickly to remove American nationals before conditions worsen.
The evacuation effort comes as part of a broader American response to the conflict. In addition to military deployments, Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Tehran, calling for its “unconditional surrender” — language signaling no appetite for prolonged negotiations.
Evacuation windows may be short and unpredictable. Americans in Israel are urged to monitor official channels closely. As the war enters a potentially more dangerous phase, the clock may be ticking for those trying to get out.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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