US Ambassador Mike Huckabee Tells Embassy Staff to Exit Israel Immediately

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee sent an urgent email Friday morning directing non-essential embassy personnel to leave the country "today" as tensions with Iran escalate. The directive comes as the Trump administration considers potential military action against Iran while diplomatic talks continue.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has directed non-essential embassy personnel to depart the country immediately, sending an urgent message Friday morning as the Trump administration evaluates possible military responses to rising tensions with Iran.

According to The New York Times, three embassy employees confirmed receiving Huckabee’s email at 10:24 a.m. local time Friday, directing staff planning to leave Israel to do so “today.” The ambassador cautioned that the directive “will likely result in high demand for airline seats today” and encouraged recipients to book any available outbound flight that would enable travel back to Washington. “The first priority will be getting expeditiously out of the country,” Huckabee stated in the message, the Times reported.

While attempting to calm concerns, Huckabee stressed the urgency of the situation, writing “there is no need to panic” but noting that staff members thinking about leaving should move swiftly. “For those desiring to leave, it’s important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later,” he stated.

The embassy communication arrives as US leadership evaluates various options for responding to heightened Iranian tensions, while maintaining diplomatic dialogue. ABC News reported Thursday that Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads US Central Command, is preparing to present President Donald Trump with briefing materials on potential American military strikes against Iran. The report cited sources close to the president and another person with knowledge of the discussions.

General Dan Cain, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has also participated in the briefing preparations. ABC’s sources indicated that a coordinated US-Israeli military operation targeting Iran remains among the possibilities being actively reviewed by the administration.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts persist. MSNBC reported that Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi, who has been acting as an intermediary in US-Iran discussions, is set to meet Friday in Washington with Vice President JD Vance and additional high-ranking US officials. These scheduled discussions underscore ongoing attempts to maintain negotiations that have achieved minimal advancement thus far.