Get you up to speed: US and UK Staff Evacuated from Embassies in Iran and Israel
REGIONAL SECURITY ALERT
The US advised embassy officials in Israel to consider leaving due to the ongoing security situation and potential military strikes on Iran.
TRAVEL ADVISORY
UK Foreign Office announced a temporary embassy closure in Tehran, emphasizing heightened security concerns amidst ongoing regional tensions, according to a government spokesperson.
CURRENT STATUS
UK Foreign Office confirms the British Embassy in Tehran is now operating remotely, while travel advisories against parts of Israel remain in effect.
What we know so far
The UK government has withdrawn its staff from Iran as the US advised embassy officials in Israel they can leave while “commercial flights are available.”
The British government said on Friday the temporary precautionary measure has been taken due to the ongoing security situation in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told embassy employees in an email that discussions with officials in Washington had led to a decision authorising departures for those who wished to leave.
Mr Huckabee said in the email that while there “may be outbound flights over the coming days, there may not be.”
“Persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available,” the US embassy said.
The travel warnings are one of the strongest indications yet that a regional conflict could be imminent, as the threat of US military strikes on Iran looms.
In a travel advice update on Friday, Britain’s foreign office said the temporary and precautionary measure had been taken because of the “ongoing security situation” in the region.
“We have temporarily closed the British Embassy in Tehran, this will now operate remotely,” a government spokesperson said.
“Foreign Office travel advice has now been updated to reflect this change.”
The UK does not appear to have withdrawn any staff from Israel, but continues to advise against travel to parts of the country over security concerns.
The warning comes a day after talks between the US and Iran over its nuclear programme ended without an agreement.
Donald Trump set out his case for a possible attack on Iran in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday.
The US president said while he preferred a diplomatic solution, he would not allow Tehran to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Mr Trump has previously threatened to take military action against Iran if a deal is not reached.
The US has spent the last month amassing a fleet of aircraft and warships in the region.
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