The U.S. State Department has elevated its travel advisory to the highest level, authorizing the immediate departure of non-essential government personnel and their families from Israel while commercial flights remain operational.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee circulated a memo urging staff to leave “as early as today,” prioritizing outbound flights from Ben Gurion Airport to any available destination.

International media report the move reflects growing confidence within U.S. security circles that a potential American military strike on Iran could be imminent a scenario that may trigger Iranian retaliation against targets in Israel and U.S. bases across the Middle East.

The evacuation order comes in parallel with similar measures taken by China and Canada