The State Department has issued an updated security alert for U.S. government personnel in Israel amid warnings that Iran will launch retaliatory attacks against the country.
The U.S. Embassy in Israel on Thursday issued an alert for American employees and their families, restricting personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv area, Jerusalem and the southern city of Beersheba “until further notice.”
The embassy said it had issued the alert “out of an abundance of caution.” It added that additional restrictions could be issued without prior notice “in response to security incidents.”
It also advised U.S. citizens in the country to refer to ongoing travel advisories and “be aware of the continuing risks of traveling to Israel.”
The warning comes as the Biden administration warns that the region is on the brink of a very serious Iranian military response to the April 1 attack on the Syrian embassy. The attack, believed to be carried out by Israel, killed seven Iranian military advisers, including three senior members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
White House National Security Advisor John Kirby said Friday that the administration believes the Iranian threat is “real.”
“We're monitoring it very closely,” he said.
“We are in close contact with the Israeli side regarding preparedness for this threat and will continue to do so.”
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