US embassy in Israel urges staff to leave 'today' as Iran tensions rise
Feb 27th 2026
Ambassador Mike Huckabee told embassy staff to leave immediately amid a US military buildup and growing fears of a strike on Iran, while diplomats pursue talks that have so far not closed key gaps.
- Ambassador Mike Huckabee emailed staff saying those who want to leave should do so today, citing an abundance of caution and telling people there is no reason to panic.
- The State Department authorized nonessential personnel and family members to depart and the embassy advised leaving while commercial flights remain available.
- The USS Gerald Ford carrier strike group is expected in northern Israel and the US has deployed F-22s and aerial tankers to the region.
- The UK temporarily withdrew staff from Iran and will operate its embassy remotely, while France advised nationals not to travel to Israel or the occupied West Bank.
- Diplomatic talks between the US and Iran continued in Geneva but significant gaps remain over nuclear restrictions, even as US military options were briefed to President Donald Trump.