US Orders Nonessential Staff to Leave Beirut Embassy

The United States ordered the departure of nonessential personnel and eligible family members from its embassy in Beirut on Monday, as regional tensions escalated over Iran's nuclear program and potential military confrontations involving Israel and Hezbollah.

A senior State Department official confirmed the move, describing it as a precautionary step based on a continuous assessment of the security environment. "We determined it prudent to reduce our footprint to essential personnel," the official said. The embassy, located in a fortified compound in the northern suburb of Awkar, remains fully operational with core staff in place to support U.S. citizens and diplomatic functions. Dozens of staff members departed via Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport, according to local reports.

The evacuation occurs amid heightened U.S.-Iran frictions, with indirect talks set to resume in Geneva on Thursday to address Tehran's nuclear activities. President Donald Trump has warned that military action could follow if no agreement is reached within 10 to 15 days, a deadline that has fueled speculation of an imminent strike. The U.S. has deployed additional military assets to the Middle...