WASHINGTON — The U.S. warned Americans against traveling to Israel following another series of Iranian missile strikes that hit the nation and resulted in at least eight fatalities.
The State Department had earlier warned U.S. citizens
to “reconsider travel” to
Israel and the West Bank remain at level 3, yet their advice was revised on June 16 after the authorized withdrawal of diplomatic staff families and certain non-essential U.S. government employees from the region.
Israel and the West Bank are currently
categorized as level 4 or “do not travel,” including Gaza
– the highest advisory level on the U.S. government’s scale and one that is associated with life-threatening risks. Americans who are already in countries that have a do not travel warning are advised by the State Department to leave as soon as it is safe to do so.
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Check out the imagery of Iranian nuclear facilities before and after Israeli strikes, with updated attack maps.
The updated guidance is a reflection of
a deepening conflict
between
Israel and Iran
That has jeopardized the stability of the Middle East and the safety of Americans traveling in the area. President
Donald Trump
last week ordered
the evacuation of some American diplomats in Iraq.
Israel launched a bombing campaign against Tehran late last week to limit its nuclear enrichment capabilities. Iran has since returned fire on Israel, striking the heavily populated city of Tel Aviv and setting off air raid sirens in Jerusalem.
In October of 2023, the U.S. government moved Israel up on its travel advisory scale, from a level 2 to a level 3, after the county went to war in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attack that year from Hamas militants.
Airlines have temporarily suspended and restarted services to Tel Aviv as tension and hostilities in the region ebbed and flowed throughout the conflict.
El Al, Israel’s national carrier, has been the only airline to consistently provide flights throughout the conflict. U.S. airlines that serve Israel have stopped and started flights, sometimes causing headaches for passengers if cancellations came close to departures.
At present, none of the main U.S. airlines are operating flights to Israel.
Delta Air Lines
and
United Airlines
have travel waivers available for passengers with affected flights.
Belarus, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Haiti, Ukraine, and Iraq are among those listed.
the other nations
The State Department advises against travel for Americans.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:
US issues ‘do not travel’ warning for Israel as Iranian missile strikes escalate
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