WASHINGTON: Secretary of State Marco Rubio will make a brief visit to Israel early next week as US-Iran tensions rise alongside a major US military buildup in the region, the State Department said Friday.
Rubio will be in Israel on Monday and Tuesday to discuss Iran, Lebanon, and efforts to implement President Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza, according to a department statement.
The announcement follows the US Embassy in Jerusalem granting “authorized departure” status for non-essential personnel and family members, allowing voluntary departure at government expense.
In an email, Ambassador Mike Huckabee urged staff considering departure to act quickly, advising them to prioritise getting any flight out of Israel before proceeding to Washington.
“While there may be outbound flights over the coming days, there may not be,” he added. Huckabee said that there was no need for panic, but for those desiring to leave, it was important to make plans soon.
The email according to the Associated Press came a day after Iran and the United States concluded their third round of nuclear talks in Geneva without a deal. Technical discussions are set to continue next week in Vienna.
Vice President JD Vance is expected to meet later Friday in Washington with Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has served as a mediator in the talks, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Al-Busaidi said Thursday that significant progress had been made, though neither side has confirmed any breakthrough. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered no specifics but said Tehran had made its position clear.
Meanwhile, a confidential IAEA report circulated to member states and reviewed Friday by the AP said Iran has not granted the UN nuclear watchdog access to facilities affected by June’s 12-day war. As a result, the agency cannot confirm whether Iran has halted enrichment or the current size of its stockpile.
Australia on Wednesday ordered the departure of all dependents of Australian officials posted to Israel, citing the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East. Several countries, including China, India, and European nations with diplomatic missions in Iran, also advised their citizens to avoid travel there.
China’s Foreign Ministry further recommended that Chinese citizens already in Iran leave the country.
