Trump Orders Jerusalem Evacuation
The U.S. State Department has ordered an evacuation of Jerusalem as the U.S. prepares for potential armed conflict with Iran, according to The Michael Knowles Show. The evacuation signals mounting regional instability and rising concerns about American personnel safety in the Middle East.
The authorized departure for non-emergency personnel from the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem follows a similar order issued for the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, earlier in the week, citing growing security concerns in the region. Several other nations, including the U.K., China, India, Australia, and various European countries, have also urged their citizens to leave the region or are withdrawing diplomatic staff. This precautionary measure comes as President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the latest round of nuclear negotiations with Iran. In a statement on Friday, Trump said he was "not happy" with the talks and that Iran must not be allowed to have nuclear weapons. The latest round of indirect negotiations, mediated by Oman, took place in Geneva, Switzerland. In a direct message to embassy employees, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged those wishing to leave to do so immediately, anticipating a surge in demand for commercial flights. While the departure is voluntary for non-essential staff, the embassy has warned it may restrict travel for remaining U.S. government employees to certain areas, including Jerusalem's Old City and the West Bank, without advance notice. The diplomatic evacuations are set against a backdrop of a significant U.S. military buildup in the Middle East. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier strike group has been deployed to the region and is now in Israeli waters, joining another carrier group and over 150 combat aircraft, including F-22 fighter jets.
