In brief
As fighting rages between Israel and Iran, the United States Embassy in Jerusalem has finally announced plans to assist American citizens in evacuating from Israel. Ambassador Mike Huckabee confirmed on June 18, 2025, that the embassy is organizing flights and cruise ship departures after several days of uncertainty for those trying to leave. The ongoing conflict, now in its sixth day, has heightened fears regarding a possible escalation of U.S. involvement. With both countries closing their airspace, many foreigners are left scrambling for safe exit routes as global travel advisories accumulate.
The exact schedule and number of evacuees have yet to be clarified, but Huckabee urged Americans to enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler program for further information. This announcement marks a significant shift in the embassy's approach, as prior communications had offered minimal guidance during the crisis. The embassy's earlier statements pointed to a significant risk in traveling to Israel and had only authorized limited evacuations of nonessential personnel from the area.One evacuee, lawyer Robert Reichelscheimer, celebrated the announcement as overdue, emphasizing his frustration with insufficient communication from the embassy. As tensions mount and retaliatory strikes have resulted in numerous casualties on both sides, American nationals caught in the turmoil now await further instructions on how to safely depart.Anushka Patil is a Times reporter covering breaking and developing news around the world.
