Washington urges citizens to leave Israel as tensions escalate sharply between Washington and Tehran, with military force openly discussed following stalled nuclear negotiations and mounting regional security fears.
The warning came after comments by Donald Trump, who said he was “not happy” with Iran’s approach to diplomacy and kept military action firmly on the table.
Speaking at the White House, Trump accused Iran of failing to negotiate in good faith while insisting Tehran must never obtain nuclear weapons capability.
Trump said diplomacy remained preferable but stressed that patience was limited, adding that force, including possible regime change, could not be ruled out.
The remarks followed inconclusive nuclear talks held in Geneva, where American and Iranian negotiators failed to reach a breakthrough agreement on enrichment limits.
Despite the stalemate, Oman’s foreign minister said progress had been made, claiming a peace deal could still be within reach if talks continued.
Badr Albusaidi, acting as chief mediator, said Iran was prepared to accept intrusive inspections and dilute enriched uranium stockpiles significantly.
He said Tehran had agreed to never possess nuclear material capable of producing a bomb, pending verification by international inspectors.
Those inspectors would come from the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has long sought unrestricted access to Iranian nuclear facilities.
However, American officials remain sceptical, pointing to unresolved questions over Iran’s missing enriched uranium stockpile.
The IAEA recently reported it could not account for more than 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium believed to be inside Iran.
Satellite imagery analysis also revealed suspicious activity at Iranian nuclear sites, including Natanz and Fordow, without inspector access.
Against this backdrop, the United States authorised the departure of non-essential personnel from Israel, citing escalating regional risks.
US citizens were urged to consider leaving Israel immediately while commercial flights remained available, according to a State Department advisory.
The warning also advised Americans against travel to Israel as the possibility of an Iranian retaliation loomed.
Two US carrier strike groups have been positioned in the region, signalling readiness for rapid military escalation if diplomacy collapses.
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sent an urgent message to embassy staff urging immediate departure.
He warned that airline seats would fill quickly and instructed staff to secure any available route out of the country.
The urgency underscored fears that a strike on Iran could trigger regional retaliation against Israel.
The United Kingdom echoed similar concerns, temporarily withdrawing diplomatic staff from Tehran due to deteriorating security conditions.
British officials said consular support for citizens in Iran was now extremely limited.
Within Washington, divisions persist over the wisdom of military intervention, particularly among senior officials.
Vice-president JD Vance is reportedly among those most cautious about launching strikes.
Vance warned against repeating past mistakes while acknowledging that limited military action remained an option.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to visit Israel for high-level meetings.
Officials indicated that no military action would likely occur during Rubio’s visit due to fears of immediate retaliation.
Rubio is expected to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss Iran, Gaza, and regional security priorities.
Washington also designated Iran as a state sponsor of wrongful detention, escalating diplomatic pressure further.
Rubio said the designation could be reversed if Iran released detained Americans.
Reports of potential embassy evacuations in Iraq and Kuwait were denied but fuelled speculation of imminent military action.
In Tehran, anti-US murals and public messaging reflect preparation for a possible strike.
Iranian lawmakers continue to insist on the country’s right to enrich uranium domestically.
A 2025 Iranian law restricts cooperation with the IAEA unless enrichment rights are formally recognised.
Iran maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful, citing medical isotope production and civilian energy needs.
Its Bushehr nuclear facility, built with Russian assistance, remains under international monitoring.
Iran has suggested diluting enriched uranium, similar to measures taken under the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Technical talks are scheduled next week in Vienna at IAEA headquarters.
Diplomats say those talks may determine whether diplomacy survives or confrontation follows.
For now, the region remains on edge as citizens heed evacuation warnings.
As US urges citizens leave Israel, the world watches anxiously, weighing fragile diplomacy against the growing drumbeat of war.
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