Amid escalating violence between Israel and Iran, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem clarifies it is arranging evacuations for American citizens, a critical step for those stranded as airspace closures complicate travel options.
US Embassy Aims to Evacuate Americans Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
US Embassy Aims to Evacuate Americans Amid Israel-Iran Conflict
As the conflict intensifies, U.S. authorities mobilize for citizen evacuations from Israel.
June 18, 2025, 4:40 p.m. ET
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem announced efforts to facilitate the evacuation of American citizens from Israel after days of uncertainty amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. Ambassador Mike Huckabee confirmed that evacuation flights and cruise ships are being organized as fears mount regarding U.S. involvement in the skirmish.
As hostilities have persisted for over six days, both Israel and Iran have closed airspace, hindering the ability of foreign nationals to exit. Governments across the globe have issued travel alerts urging citizens to evacuate. Despite this, it remains unclear when these evacuation options will be available or how many Americans will be able to utilize them.
In a recent social media update, Huckabee advised Americans desperate to leave Israel to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler program to get timely information on the evacuation process. This announcement marks a pivotal shift as it is the first instance of U.S. authorities discussing direct evacuation assistance since hostilities erupted following Israel's recent strikes on Iran.
The Israeli strikes have reportedly claimed the lives of at least 224 individuals in Iran, according to the Iranian Health Ministry, while retaliatory measures have resulted in the deaths of around 24 people in Israel, as per Israeli sources. The State Department earlier emphasized the extreme risks of traveling to Israel and suggested the departure of non-essential personnel and family members of staff.
While the embassy’s communications have been limited, many citizens like Robert Reichelscheimer, who is in Jerusalem with his wife, expressed relief at the acknowledgment of their situation. He noted significant difficulties reaching the embassy and felt it was critical for the government to provide regular updates about their safety and evacuation plans.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem announced efforts to facilitate the evacuation of American citizens from Israel after days of uncertainty amid the ongoing conflict with Iran. Ambassador Mike Huckabee confirmed that evacuation flights and cruise ships are being organized as fears mount regarding U.S. involvement in the skirmish.
As hostilities have persisted for over six days, both Israel and Iran have closed airspace, hindering the ability of foreign nationals to exit. Governments across the globe have issued travel alerts urging citizens to evacuate. Despite this, it remains unclear when these evacuation options will be available or how many Americans will be able to utilize them.
In a recent social media update, Huckabee advised Americans desperate to leave Israel to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler program to get timely information on the evacuation process. This announcement marks a pivotal shift as it is the first instance of U.S. authorities discussing direct evacuation assistance since hostilities erupted following Israel's recent strikes on Iran.
The Israeli strikes have reportedly claimed the lives of at least 224 individuals in Iran, according to the Iranian Health Ministry, while retaliatory measures have resulted in the deaths of around 24 people in Israel, as per Israeli sources. The State Department earlier emphasized the extreme risks of traveling to Israel and suggested the departure of non-essential personnel and family members of staff.
While the embassy’s communications have been limited, many citizens like Robert Reichelscheimer, who is in Jerusalem with his wife, expressed relief at the acknowledgment of their situation. He noted significant difficulties reaching the embassy and felt it was critical for the government to provide regular updates about their safety and evacuation plans.
