Topline
The U.S. embassy in Israel sent a notification Thursday barring its staffers from traveling outside Jerusalem, Tel Aviv or Be’er Sheva areas and urged its citizens in the country to remain cautious, amid reports Iran may be preparing to attack Israel in response to strikes carried out against its embassy in Damascus earlier this month.
The Tel Aviv branch of the United States Embassy.
Key Facts
In a security notice, the embassy said the travel restrictions on its staffers and their family members were put in place “out of an abundance of caution.”
The notification also warned its citizens to remain vigilant in a complex security environment that can “change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events.”
The embassy warned that “security incidents” may force it to further “restrict or prohibit” its workers and their family members from traveling to some parts of Israel.
The State Department’s official advisory continues to urge all citizens to “reconsider travel” to Israel and the West Bank due to “terrorism and armed conflict.”
News Peg
The warning comes as Israel is expecting an Iranian attack on its territory over the next two days, the Wall Street Journal reported. Iranian sources cited the in report, however, were less certain, saying a final decision was yet to be made although attack plans were being discussed. U.S. officials told the Journal that intelligence reports suggested Iran may strike soon, with the target likely being inside Israeli territory instead of the country’s interests abroad. Israeli Defense Force officials told reporters on Thursday that both offensive and defensive capabilities were ready to respond to any Iranian strike and such an attack “would be clear proof of Iranian intentions to escalate the Middle East and stop hiding behind the proxies.”
Key Background
Last week, Iran blamed Israel for an airstrike on its diplomatic compound in the Syrian capital that killed 16 people, including seven of its military officers. Among the dead were Brigadier General Mohammed Reza Zahedi, senior commander of the elite Quds Force; and his deputy, Brigadier General Mohammad Hadi Haji-Rahimi. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said of the strike: “Israel is working to make it clear to everyone who acts against us, all over the Middle East, that the price for acting against Israel will be a heavy price.” After the strike, Iran wrote to the UN Security Council condemning the attack and saying it “reserves its legitimate and inherent right to respond decisively”
Crucial Quote
In a statement on X, Iran’s permanent mission to the United Nations said: “Had the UN Security Council condemned the Zionist regime’s reprehensible act of aggression on our diplomatic premises in Damascus and subsequently brought to justice its perpetrators, the imperative for Iran to punish this rogue regime might have been obviated.”
Further Reading
Iranian Attack Expected on Israel in Next Two Days (Wall Street Journal)
