The United States has ordered the closure of its embassy in Jerusalem for at least three days, extending the measure to consular offices in Tel Aviv as well. The decision comes amid heightened alert, as the possibility of direct U.S. involvement in Israel’s offensive against Iran gains traction.
The State Department announced the temporary suspension of diplomatic activities in Israel, citing the need to enhance the security of personnel on the ground. While no evacuation order has been issued for American citizens currently in the country, many analysts interpret the move as a preparatory step in view of potentially serious developments.
The White House is reportedly assessing whether to join Israeli air raids launched last Friday in the Islamic Republic. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities — particularly Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — have made it clear that if the United States decides to take direct part in the attacks, they will retaliate by striking U.S. bases and military installations across the Middle East.
On Tuesday, President Trump met with his national security team in Washington and held a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Speaking to the press on Wednesday morning, President Trump did little to clarifiy the position of the United States. “You don’t know that I am going to even do it. You don’t know,” he told reporters at a White House event. “I may do it, I may not do it, nobody knows what I’m going to do.”
Sources within the State Department have confirmed that contingency plans are already underway to handle potential evacuations or crisis scenarios. Although no emergency transfers are planned at this time, federal agencies have stated they are ready to act swiftly should the situation deteriorate.
