US issues security warning to embassy staff in 'Israel'

The US State Department has issued a security alert to its personnel in 'Israel' amid growing concerns that 'Israel' may be preparing to launch a strike on Iran's nuclear infrastructure. 

The State Department has authorized the departure of some embassy staff in Iraq, while the Pentagon approved the voluntary evacuation of military families stationed at US bases across the region. The precautionary steps are being taken as intelligence officials warn that 'Israel' could move forward with a unilateral strike, one that would not only undermine months of US-led diplomatic efforts, but could also trigger retaliatory attacks against American assets in the region.

President Donald Trump, who had previously expressed optimism about reaching a deal with Tehran, appeared far less certain this week. “I’m less confident now than I would have been a couple of months ago. Something happened to them, but I am much less confident of a deal being made,” he told the New York Post.

The US government has instructed embassies within the potential range of Iranian reprisals, including those in the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and North Africa, to activate emergency planning teams and report risk mitigation strategies back to Washington. This led Secretary of State Marco Rubio to green-light a partial drawdown of staff in Iraq.

“We are constantly assessing the appropriate personnel posture at all our embassies,” said a State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Based on our latest analysis, we decided to reduce the footprint of our mission in Iraq.”