U.S. allows some embassy staff to leave Israel, citing safety risks

The U.S. ​will permit non-emergency government personnel and ‌family members to leave Israel over ​safety risks, the U.S. ⁠Embassy in Jerusalem said on Friday (February 27, 2026), amid growing concerns about the risk of ‌a military conflict with Iran.

The embassy did not elaborate ‌on the safety risks leading ‌to the “authorised ⁠departure”, which allows affected ⁠personnel to decide whether to leave. It falls short of the ordered departure instituted this ​week for ‌some personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.

The U.S. has built up one of its biggest ‌military deployments in West Asia ​as it negotiates with Iran over the Islamic Republic’s ⁠nuclear programme. The latest round of talks ended on Thursday (February 26, 2026) with no ‌sign of a breakthrough.

Iran has threatened to strike American bases in the region if it is attacked, and an escalation could also draw in Israel. The ‌two foes fought a 12-day war ​in June.

Several countries have begun withdrawing dependents of diplomatic personnel ⁠and non-essential staff from some locations in ⁠West Asia, or advising citizens to avoid travel ‌to Iran, amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.