US Advises Citizens to Prepare to Leave Middle East Amid Iran Tensions; Israel Not Informed of Military Operation Resumption
Following reports that the United States and Israel were planning a major airstrike operation against Iran over the weekend, a senior Israeli official told CBS that Israel has not been informed of any decision to fully resume military actions and has not been asked to participate. The official spoke anonymously while Israel maintains silence on the matter.
Amid internal criticism of US President Donald Trump over potential conflict with Iran, Israeli authorities are cautious not to appear as warmongers and await decisions from the White House. Trump appears impatient but may hesitate to escalate before the upcoming midterm elections, especially with rising fuel prices. However, a decisive strike could be seen as a way to secure a quick victory, depending on military advice.
US embassies across the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, and Israel, have issued security warnings urging their citizens to leave or be prepared to leave immediately due to escalating tensions. The US State Department also issued a general advisory for Americans in the region to consider departure amid the risk of unexpected escalation and potential attacks on US interests worldwide.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media shared footage from a petrochemical plant in Assaluyeh, southern Iran, which was attacked during previous conflicts. The report emphasized the plant’s critical role in supplying energy and infrastructure to petrochemical factories responsible for 38% of Iran’s foreign currency revenue. The damage inflicted by 15 missiles was described as a direct economic blow to Iranian citizens.
Despite President Trump reportedly giving the green light for renewed strikes, no attacks have yet occurred, and he retains the option to cancel them. Tehran has raised the threat level, with recent incidents including attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz and an Iranian drone attack on Kuwait’s critical infrastructure, which caused damage but no casualties. Kuwait is a frequent target of Iranian retaliation for US actions against the Islamic Republic.
