As tensions continued to rise in the Middle East, Americans present in the region were forced to contemplate the possibility of further escalation and make plans to get themselves to safety.
Further evidence of the sense of urgency that has been taking hold amid the Israel-Iran conflict came Saturday when it was revealed that the State Department began evacuations of American citizens and permanent residents from Israel and the West Bank, as USA Today reports.
The push to evacuate Americans from the increasingly fraught region was announced by U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee.
Taking to X to explain the situation, Huckabee wrote, “The Department of State has begun assisted departure flights from Israel.”
The ambassador declared that those interested in departing the area should complete a form provided by the State Department in order to receive assistance, as well as timely updates on the process.
On Saturday, Huckabee added that the embassy team was “working around the clock to assist American citizens wishing to depart.”
The timely nature of the situation appeared to be underscored when the ambassador added, “I strongly encourage you to...take the first option available to you.”
Despite the obvious difficulties of coordinating evacuations amid rising tensions and potential escalation of attacks, Huckabee's steadfast support for President Donald Trump's handling of the situation was clear.
Last week, the ambassador sent a message directly to the president outlining his belief in the administration's approach to the threat posed by Iran and its commitment to Israel, a communication later highlighted by the White House itself on X.
Huckabee stated his belief that “God spared” Trump last July during the Butler, Pennsylvania assassination attempt so that he could go on to become “the most consequential President in a century -- maybe ever.”
Affirming the trust he has in Trump's instincts, Huckabee added, “I believe you will hear from heaven and that voice is far more important than mine or ANYONE else's.”
While helping facilitate the evacuation of Americans from the danger zone, the ambassador told Trump, “You sent me to Israel to be your eyes, ears and voice and to make sure our flag flies above our embassy. My job is to be the last one to leave. I will not abandon this post. Our flag will NOT come down! You did not seek this moment. This moment sought YOU!”
As the evacuation effort in Israel appeared to foreshadow, the Trump administration on Saturday announced that the U.S. military had carried out attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, activating a “large B-2 strike package comprised of bombers launched from the continental United States.”
Speaking to the nation after the mission, Trump declared the rogue nation's key uranium enrichment sites to have been “completely and totally obliterated,” as Axios noted, in an apparent vindication of Huckabee's expression of utmost confidence, but where things go from here, only time will tell.
