Tel Aviv: The US Embassy in Israel issued a security alert on Thursday, prohibiting its staff from traveling outside Greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beersheba amid heightened tensions with Iran.

According to Anadolu Agency, the embassy's statement cited increased regional tensions as the reason for the travel restrictions. US government employees and their families are now restricted from traveling beyond the greater Tel Aviv area, including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda, as well as Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva, until further notice.

The restrictions permit travel between Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beersheba, including access to and from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv and along Route 1, which connects Jerusalem and Tel Aviv to the Allenby Bridge crossing into Jordan. The embassy also urged US citizens in Israel to exercise caution and maintain heightened personal security awareness, particularly by knowing the location of the nearest shelter in case of a red alert due to potential security incidents such as mortar, rocket, or missile fire, and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) intrusions.

The US media has reported that Israel may be planning military action against Iran concerning its nuclear program, further escalating the regional tension. In response, the US ordered the voluntary departure of nonessential employees and military families from certain locations in the Middle East on Wednesday.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that American personnel face evacuation, noting that regional locations "could be a dangerous place." This development follows Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh's threat to target US bases in the region should a conflict arise over Tehran's nuclear program.

The tensions are exacerbated by stalled progress in indirect nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, fueling uncertainty in the Middle East. The primary sticking point remains Iran's uranium enrichment program, with the US demanding its complete cessation while Iranian negotiators assert that the program is non-negotiable and will continue regardless of a deal.