Feb. 27 (UPI) -- The United States is pulling some non-emergency staff and their families out of Israel with the possibility of a strike on Iran still on the table Friday.
The U.S. State Department authorized the removal of non-essential diplomatic staff due to "safety risks." It did not go into detail about what those risks are but the United States and Iran continue to negotiate a nuclear deal under continued tension.
"Persons may wish to consider leaving Israel while commercial flights are available," the State Department said in its new guidance. "In response to security incidents and without advance notice, the U.S. Embassy may further restrict or prohibit U.S. government employees and their family members from traveling to certain areas of Israel, the Old City of Jerusalem, and the West Bank."
President Donald Trump and the Pentagon have sent military forces to the region in recent weeks. U.S. and Iranian negotiators met again in Geneva this week seeking to come to an agreement. Special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have headed the talks for the Trump administration.
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