“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members cannot travel personally outside of the greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beersheba areas until further notice,” the statement read. US embassy security alert issued Thursday.
The attack killed two senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officials and five other officers, Iran said.
Although Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility, U.S. officials told the Washington Post that Pentagon officials were frustrated that Israel had not informed the United States before the April 1 strike, which, according to them, is getting worse risks for American forces in the Middle East.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel would be “punished” and “regret this crime.” While the Israeli army was on alert last week, Israel sworn retaliate against Iran “if Iran attacks from its territory”.
The head of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, visited Israel on Thursday, a Pentagon spokesperson said, as allies coordinate to prepare for The counterattack promised by Iran. President Biden reiterated that America’s commitment to Israel against threats from Iran and its allies is “ironclad.”
“The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need to exercise caution and be more aware of their personal security, as security incidents often occur without warning,” the alert said. “The security environment remains complex and can evolve rapidly depending on the political situation and recent events. »
The April 1 strike near a diplomatic compound – traditionally exempt from hostilities – was seen as an escalation in Israel’s multi-front fighting against Iranian-backed groups in the region, which has intensified during its war in Gaza.
The United States has already issued wartime travel warnings and a rare “global caution” advisory to all Americans abroad in October, citing “the potential for increased violence and tensions” globally .
Clashes were brewing in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen between groups backed by Iran and Israel or the United States. Analysts say Tehran can still hope to avoid being drawn into a costly war, while maintaining support for allies who have exchanged fire with Israeli forces or attacked Israel’s main backer, the United States, in the region, the Post reported.
U.S. and other officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence issues, said earlier this month they expected Iran to respond by attacks on Israeli targets, calculated to avoid an even larger Israeli response, the Post reported. Yet they recognized the risk of miscalculations in such an unstable environment.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that the Biden administration had “made clear to Iran that the United States was not involved in the strike” in Syria. She said the administration had warned Tehran “not to further escalate the situation in the region or attack U.S. facilities or personnel.”
Kareem Fahim and Susannah George contributed to this report.
washingtonpost
