The US has authorised the departure of non-essential government workers and their families from Israel as the threat of an American strike on Iran looms. US citizens should “consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available”, the Department of State advisory added. Donald Trump, the US president, has assembled two carrier strike groups ready to attack Iran if he believes Tehran is not serious about ending its nuclear activities. He contacted embassy staff in an email sent at 12.04am local time, urging them to book flights anywhere they could. The agency is due to hold its quarterly board meeting next week and it is expected that Rafael Grossi, its director general, will give an update on access to Iran’s nuclear sites.

Source: Irish Examiner February 28, 2026 06:34 UTC