Israeli media reported that the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv sustained structural damage during an Iranian missile strike early Monday morning. Fortunately, no embassy staff were injured.
In response, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee announced today the temporary closure of the embassy in Jerusalem and the consulate in Tel Aviv as a precaution amid escalating regional tensions.
A day earlier, the embassy had issued a statement saying that current security conditions prevent the evacuation of U.S. nationals or the provision of immediate assistance to those wishing to leave the country. The advisory followed an Iranian military spokesman’s warning urging residents in the so‑called “occupied zones” to evacuate.
The embassy also confirmed the closure of Ben Gurion International Airport, though it noted that land crossings into Jordan remain open and operational.
So far, Washington has not issued an official statement regarding the damage to its facilities nor clarified whether it views the attack as a direct violation of U.S. interests. However, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation cited officials indicating that the U.S. would only join Israeli military operations if Iran were to strike American assets in the Middle East.
It’s worth recalling that the U.S. Embassy was relocated from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem during President Donald Trump’s first term, following Washington’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital—part of what his administration dubbed the “deal of the century.” Trump had highlighted that “in 1995, Congress passed legislation urging the federal government to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and recognize this important city as Israel’s capital.”
The relocation took place officially on May 18, 2018, coinciding with the anniversary of Israel’s founding—a symbolic gesture celebrated by the Israeli government, but one that sparked protests across the Arab world.
The current crisis adds another layer of tension to the already fragile geopolitical landscape in the region, as the U.S. grapples with safeguarding its allies without being drawn into a direct conflict with Iran.
