The U.S. ​will permit non-emergency government personnel and ‌family members to leave Israel over ​safety risks, the U.S. ⁠Embassy in Jerusalem said on Friday (February 27, 2026), amid growing concerns about the risk of ‌a military conflict with Iran. The embassy did not elaborate ‌on the safety risks leading ‌to the “authorised ⁠departure”, which allows affected ⁠personnel to decide whether to leave. It falls short of the ordered departure instituted this ​week for ‌some personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut. The U.S. has built up one of its biggest ‌military deployments in West Asia ​as it negotiates with Iran over the Islamic Republic’s ⁠nuclear programme. Iran has threatened to strike American bases in the region if it is attacked, and an escalation could also draw in Israel.

Source: The Hindu February 27, 2026 12:07 UTC