Following Iran’s drone and missile attacks, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has issued a security alert instructing American government employees and their families in Israel to remain sheltered indoors.
The alert, initially issued on Saturday and reiterated on Sunday morning, follows attacks that have reportedly killed at least 10 people in Israel and injured over 180.
“Due to the current security situation and ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the U.S. Embassy has directed all U.S. government employees and their family members to continue sheltering in place until further notice,” the embassy stated in an alert posted on its website and X.
“Considering the proximity of missile and debris impacts, the U.S. Embassy is offering employees residing near the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv the option to voluntarily relocate to alternative accommodations further away,” the alert added.
Meanwhile, an Israel Airports Authority spokesperson announced that Israeli airspace remains closed to both incoming and outgoing flights.
Iran’s bombardment of Israel is said to be a response to Israeli strikes against Iranian nuclear and military sites. Israeli officials have described these strikes as preemptive measures taken in response to Iran’s progress toward developing nuclear weapons.
“I’ll tell you what would have happened if we hadn’t acted. We had information that this unscrupulous regime was planning to give the nuclear weapons that they would develop to their terrorist proxies,” one official posted on X on Saturday. “That’s nuclear terrorism on steroids. That would threaten the entire world.”
Israel has indicated that strikes against targets in Iran are not over, issuing a warning to the Iranian population.
“Urgent warning to all Iranian citizens: All individuals currently or soon to be present in or around military weapons production factories and their supporting institutions must immediately evacuate these areas and not return until further notice,” the Israel Defense Forces stated in an alert posted in Farsi. “Your presence near these facilities puts your life at risk.”
The IDF contrasted their approach with Iran’s, which they say has involved attacks on civilian areas.
“This is the message we spread to Iranian citizens. While Iran chooses to strike without warning, we choose to warn innocent people even if it means giving up the element of surprise,” the IDF posted to X Sunday morning. “We warn them, in Persian, across many channels. Because human life comes first to us. That’s the difference between us and our enemy.”
‘ Landon Mion contributed to this report.
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