The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed from Wednesday through Friday as President Donald Trump weighs military attacks on Iran in support of Israel.
The embassy said in a press release, “As a result of the current security situation and ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the U.S. Embassy has directed that all U.S. government employees and their family members continue to shelter in place in and near their residences until further notice.
The release continued, “Given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) through Friday (June 20). This includes the Consular Sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
There will be no passport (emergency or regular) or Consular Report of Birth Abroad services.”
Tensions surged across the region on the fifth day of Israel’s air campaign targeting Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, prompting waves of residents to flee Tehran.
For the first time, the U.N. nuclear watchdog confirmed that Israeli strikes damaged not only above-ground structures but also the main underground centrifuge facility at Iran’s Natanz uranium-enrichment site.
Israel has defended the operation as essential to stopping Iran from advancing toward a nuclear weapon, with at least 224 people reported killed in Iran. In response, Iran has fired around 400 missiles and launched hundreds of drones at Israel, where 24 fatalities have been reported so far.
Trump faces a pivotal moment as Israel’s five-day campaign of missile strikes against Iran has reportedly inflicted significant damage. Israeli officials believe they are close to delivering a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, particularly if the U.S. provides advanced support, such as bunker-busting munitions or direct military assistance.
The U.S. military has increased its air power in the Middle East by deploying additional fighter jets and extending current warplane missions as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, three U.S. officials told Reuters.
One official confirmed the move includes the deployment of advanced aircraft such as F-16s, F-22s, and F-35s.
Meanwhile, the president and Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone Tuesday, shortly after the president’s Situation Room briefing on Iran, a White House official told Associated Press.
The official did not offer details about their call.
During his security briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Trump discussed a range of options for dealing with Iran, including a U.S. strike on the country, several administration officials told NBC News.
Several military leaders were spotted leaving the White House after the briefing, along with Special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine.
When asked on CNN Tuesday night about his knowledge of any U.S. plans to join Israel’s offensive against Iran, Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said, “Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump have had a conversation for five months. He was the first foreign dignitary to visit the White House after he returned to office.
He continued, “As of now, this is a blue and white operation and should the President of the United States turn it into a red, white, and blue operation, remains to be seen.”
“This is a war to end wars, not to start endless wars,” Leiter added.
“We are going to prosecute this war whether the Ayatollah [Khamenei] survives or not,” as he discussed Trump saying earlier on Tuesday that the U.S. knows where Khamenei is hiding amid the ongoing Israeli strikes.
(Miami Herald)
