‘We can’t evacuate you, you are on your own’- US tells citizens in Israel as Iran conflict escalates

The US Embassy in Jerusalem has warned American citizens that it is “not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel,” as the conflict in the Middle East intensifies.

The embassy further announced that it would be closed on Tuesday.

While Israel has begun operating shuttle services to the Taba Border Crossing with Egypt, the US Embassy cautioned that it could not officially recommend the route, leaving Americans largely to navigate their own exit from the country.

The warning comes as missile and drone strikes target key locations across the region, following US and Israeli attacks on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation. Hundreds of thousands of foreign nationals, including tourists and business travellers, remain stranded in affected Middle Eastern countries.

The US State Department has urged citizens in Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen to “depart now via commercial means” due to “serious safety risks.”

Estimates suggest between 500,000 and 1 million American citizens live in the Middle East, though exact numbers are unavailable as registration with US authorities is not mandatory. Citizens have been advised to regularly check embassy updates and use designated hotlines for assistance.

Other countries have also taken steps to safeguard their nationals. France announced plans to fly back citizens deemed most at risk using both commercial and military flights. About 400,000 French nationals are believed to be in the region.

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has urged British citizens to register their presence in the affected areas to receive “the best possible support.” So far, around 102,000 Britons have registered with the UK government out of an estimated 300,000 in the region