This article was originally published by Tyler Durdern at ZeroHedge.
“Persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available,” the US State Department announced Friday, signaling that US strikes on Iran could be imminent.
It provided confirmation that the US government has begun evacuating “non-emergency” personnel from the embassy in Israel and their family members, citing “safety risks” amid growing tensions with Iran.
The new urgent announcement also strongly suggests that whatever military action ensues, it will most likely involve a joint operation between the US and Israel. Some have warned that Washington is essentially about to go to war on behalf of what are fundamentally Israel’s interests in the region.
People in Israel would further be at risk given the potential for Hezbollah to renew strikes on the country’s north, and then there’s the threat of Houthi attacks from the south – as happened in the last conflict in June and prior.
Fox correspondent Lucas Tomlinson has noted that the last time the embassy issued such an evacuation notice, it occurred just eight days before Operation Midnight Hammer (the June strikes).
Another regional journalist, Idrees Ali, as observed: “Many of the things that happened before the United States and Israel struck Iran last year are happening now.”
But this time around, the military build-up by the United States is much, much longer, and days ago hit levels not seen since the 2003 Bush-ordered invasion of Iraq.
Axios also confirms that while the US Embassy is still operating for now, “US ambassador Mike Huckabee wrote in a message to embassy staff that whoever wants to leave the country should do so Friday.”
The State Dept. notice states further, “The ambassador, diplomats, and U.S. personnel working on assistance to U.S. citizens, security, military, political, and intelligence affairs will stay in the country.”
Canada has also newly issued a warning on Friday for its citizens to leave Iran and the Mideast region, warning about the near future availability of commercial travel.
Starting the countdown to yet another major US-initiated war in the Middle East?…
This adds to a growing list of countries telling their population to avoid the region or leave, including: Finland, Serbia, Poland, Sweden, India, Greek Cyprus, Singapore, Germany, Brazil, and others. China has also told its citizens in Israel to be prepared for an emergency and to prepare to leave the country. Any Chinese traveling in Iran are also being told to depart immediately.
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