Middle East crisis: US shuts Jerusalem embassy; no evacuation for Americans announced

The United States will shut its embassy in Jerusalem from Wednesday through Friday as the conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, the State Department announced on Tuesday.“Given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance, the US Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) through Friday (June 20). This includes the Consular Sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,” the department said in a statement posted on X.The decision comes as military tensions continue to escalate between Iran and Israel, now in their sixth day of open conflict. Loud explosions were heard in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as missiles flew overhead, with video footage showing several strikes in residential areas.On Monday, minor damage was reported at the US Embassy’s Tel Aviv branch after missile impacts nearby, according to the US Ambassador to Israel. “Some minor damage from concussions of Iranian missile hits near embassy branch in Tel Aviv but no injuries to US personnel,” the ambassador confirmed. Windows of nearby homes and hotels were shattered by the blast’s shockwaves.No evacuation has been announced for American citizens in the region. However, embassy officials said, “all US government employees and their family members [must] continue to shelter in place in and near their residences until further notice.”The closures come amid growing speculation about a potential American military response. US President Donald Trump convened a meeting with his National Security Council on Tuesday after publicly calling for Iran’s “unconditional surrender.” He also warned that the US could assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei if it chose to.A Reuters report revealed that Trump had recently vetoed an Israeli plan to carry out such an assassination. “Have the Iranians killed an American yet? No. Until they do we're not even talking about going after the political leadership,” a senior US official was quoted as saying.Despite the ongoing crisis, the US has yet to make any formal announcement about evacuating citizens or engaging in direct military retaliation.