U.S. Sends Urgent Warning to Its Citizens in Israel, Iran

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Iran remain on the back burner as the two countries continued to exchanged strikes a week into their war on Friday, June 20.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi appeared to be en route to Geneva for meetings with the European Union’s top diplomat and counterparts from the United Kingdom, France and Germany, according to the Associated Press.

Before his flight, Araghchi called out the United States to aligning with Israel.

“It is the Americans who want talks,” he said in comments Thursday that were broadcast Friday. “They’ve sent messages several times — very serious ones — but we made it explicitly clear to them that as long as this aggression and invasion continue, there is absolutely no room for talk or diplomacy. We are engaged in legitimate self-defense, and this defense will not stop under any circumstances.”

As the situation between the two countries continues to deteriorate, the United States offered an urgent warning to its citizens in Israel and Iran. The message suggested the U.S. Department of state is planning for contingencies to assist with private U.S. citizens' departure from Israel and the West Bank.

Israel and the West Bank The Department of State is continuously planning for contingencies to assist with private U.S. citizens’ departure from Israel. 

"Do not wait for U.S. government assistance to depart. U.S. citizens who are able to depart on their own should do so. We will alert U.S. citizens if there is additional information to share regarding departure options," the U.S. Department of State said in the announcement on June 20. "U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents currently in Israel or the West Bank and seeking U.S. government assistance to depart, please complete this form in the following link so the Department of State can better assist you and provide you with timely updates: https://mytravel.state.gov/s/crisis-intake. 

Those in Iran received a much more dire warning, with the U.S. Department of State announcing the government does not have diplomatic relations with the nation.

"U.S. citizens should not travel to Iran for any reason and should depart Iran immediately if they are there. U.S. citizens who are unable to depart Iran should be prepared to shelter in place for extended periods," the message read. "The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Swiss Protecting Power office in Tehran is closed until further notice and is limited in its ability to assist U.S. citizens in Iran at this time."

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