The United States has authorized the departure of non-emergency personnel and family members from its diplomatic mission in Israel as regional tensions continue to escalate. The move follows an updated State Department travel advisory and comes amid mounting speculation that Washington is preparing for possible large-scale military action targeting Iran.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee reportedly urged eligible personnel to leave immediately, warning in an overnight message that commercial travel options could become constrained if the security situation deteriorates further. The authorization signals that U.S. officials view the threat environment as volatile and potentially fast-moving.
Inside Israel, precautionary measures are expanding. Authorities in Beersheba have reportedly opened public bomb shelters, while the U.S. Embassy has advised Americans to reconsider travel to Israel and the Judea and Samaria region. Israeli officials have previously stated that tens of thousands of rockets and projectiles have been launched at the country since October 2023, underscoring ongoing instability.
At the same time, the Pentagon has significantly reinforced its regional footprint. Two U.S. carrier strike groups — the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea and the USS Gerald R. Ford off the coast of Haifa — are now positioned to provide dual-front air operations capability. Analysts describe the configuration as the most substantial American naval concentration in the region in more than two decades.
Supporting this posture are large-scale aerial logistics movements, including fuel tankers and cargo aircraft, suggesting preparation for sustained operational capacity rather than a limited strike. U.S. planners appear to be ensuring redundancy and endurance should any conflict expand beyond an initial phase.
In a notable shift, the United States has stationed 12 F-22 Raptor fighter jets at Ovda Air Base in Israel, marking the first such deployment there. The fifth-generation aircraft are designed for air superiority missions and suppression of advanced air defenses. A Patriot missile battery has also been deployed to bolster defensive coverage against anticipated drone and missile attacks.
Diplomatic channels remain open, with indirect talks reportedly continuing in Geneva. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that Iran’s ballistic missile program remains a central sticking point in negotiations. With a key mid-March deadline approaching, the evolving military posture suggests that Washington is preparing contingencies even as it pursues a negotiated outcome.
The post Washington Greenlights Exit From Israel As Military Posture Intensifies appeared first on Real News Now.
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