 "Israel-Iran conflict: Is Trump planning something big? US shuts embassy in Jerusalem till Friday")
As tensions between Iran and Israel spiral, the US State Department on Tuesday (June 17) announced the US embassy in Jerusalem will remain shut from Wednesday through Friday (June 20) in the wake of “the security situation”.
“Given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance, the US Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) through Friday (June 20). This includes the Consular Sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv," the State Department said on X.
Iran points missiles at US sites
This came after it was reported that Iran has its missiles pointed at US military bases in the West Asian region for ‘retaliatory strikes’ if Washington decided to join the conflict.
There are reports that President Donald Trump is considering joining the Israel-Iran conflict directly, and he held a National Security Council meeting on Tuesday.
Following the meeting, a senior White House official told CNN: “We are waiting for the decision of the president.”
Trump earlier warned that the US knew the exact location of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but said it wouldn’t target him, ‘at least for now’. Trump also declared the US had achieved “complete and total control” of Iranian airspace, suggesting that the US may get directly involved.
US establishes task force
The United States State Department announced that Washington is establishing a 24/7 task force to assist Americans in the Middle East due to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran.
“The Department of State has established the Middle East Task Force to help coordinate support for us, citizens, our US diplomatic missions and personnel and diplomatic engagement,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters during a press briefing on Tuesday.
“The task force is operating 24 hours a day over the past week to help keep us citizens informed. We have issued more than 30 security alerts to countries in the region and updated travel advisories for Iraq and Israel,” she said.
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