Quick Read
- The U.S. Department of State issued an urgent advisory for non-essential government personnel and citizens to leave Israel.
- The advisory follows inconclusive nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran, fueling speculation of potential military action.
- President Trump stated military force remains an option but expressed a preference for diplomacy.
- Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi traveled to Washington for mediation efforts.
- Inside Iran, anxiety is high, with economic paralysis and public emergency preparedness increasing.
WASHINGTON (Azat TV) – The U.S. Department of State issued an urgent advisory on Friday, authorizing the departure of non-essential government personnel and their families from Israel and urging all U.S. citizens to consider leaving the country while commercial flights remain available. This significant escalation in regional posture follows inconclusive nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, intensifying widespread speculation of potential U.S. military action against Tehran.
The advisory, which explicitly warned against travel to Israel, was reinforced by an urgent email from U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to embassy staff. Sent at 12:04 AM local time, the message pressed those wishing to leave to ‘do so TODAY,’ emphasizing the need to book flights expeditiously to any destination from which onward travel to Washington D.C. could be arranged. Concurrently, the United Kingdom announced it had temporarily withdrawn its staff from Iran, citing the deteriorating security situation and limiting its ability to provide consular assistance. These movements come as the U.S. has reportedly assembled two carrier strike groups, poised for action should President Donald Trump decide diplomatic efforts are insufficient to halt Iran’s nuclear activities, as reported by The Guardian.
US Evacuation Advisory Escalates Tensions
The immediate catalyst for the heightened alert appears to be the stalled nuclear negotiations in Geneva, which concluded on Thursday evening without a definitive agreement. While President Trump stated he had not made a final decision on military strikes, he expressed being “not happy” with the situation and reiterated that military force, including the possibility of regime change, remained an option. Trump underscored his preference for diplomacy but maintained Iran could not possess a nuclear weapon, noting, ‘It’d be wonderful if they negotiated in … good faith and conscience but they are not getting there so far.’ The U.S. negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, notably issued no public statement after the talks, a silence interpreted by some as ominous.
Diplomatic Efforts at a Critical Juncture
Amidst the escalating tensions, Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, a key mediator between the U.S. and Iran, flew to Washington in what appeared to be a last-ditch effort to de-escalate the situation. He was scheduled to brief U.S. Vice President JD Vance, reportedly a senior administration member most opposed to military interventions, advocating for caution given perceived progress in the talks. However, the U.S. formally announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Israel early next week for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior Israeli officials. This visit, set for Monday and Tuesday, is seen by analysts as a potential pause in any immediate military action, given the expectation of an Iranian counterattack on Israel should the U.S. launch strikes.
Iran’s Internal Anxieties and Nuclear Stance
Inside Iran, the atmosphere is fraught with anxiety, as reported by BBC News. Many young people are obsessively tracking plane and ship movements, some fearing external intervention, others quietly hoping for it following a violent suppression of anti-establishment protests over 50 days ago. Human rights organizations, such as the U.S.-based HRANA, report a far higher death toll from the crackdown—7,007 fatalities—compared to Iran’s official figure of 3,117, highlighting the opacity of the situation. Economically, the country faces paralysis ahead of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, with soaring inflation above 62% and a market gripped by uncertainty. Public emergency preparedness is growing, with reports of stockpiling food and water, while state media has ramped up broadcasts showcasing missile capabilities.
Tehran remains defiant on its nuclear program, refusing Washington’s demand to export its 400kg stockpile of highly enriched uranium and insisting on its right to domestic enrichment. Last July, the Iranian parliament passed a law banning cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) without recognition of this right. An IAEA report for an upcoming board meeting next week confirmed the agency had no knowledge of the whereabouts of the highly enriched uranium and stressed the critical need for immediate access. The report also noted observed activities at enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordow via satellite imagery but could not confirm their nature or purpose due to lack of access. Iran’s three main nuclear facilities were reportedly destroyed by U.S. bombing last June, with its Bushehr plant, a civilian power plant, supplied with Russian fuel.
The current evacuation advisory for Israel transforms a simmering diplomatic standoff into an acute regional crisis, forcing immediate attention on whether President Trump will opt for military intervention or whether ongoing diplomatic efforts, however fragile, can still avert conflict.