US begins evacuating residents from Israel over Iran strikes

The U.S. Department of State has begun evacuating residents from Israel following President Trump’s decision to strike Iran’s three main nuclear facilities.

In anticipation of a potential Iranian counterattack, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee urged American citizens in the country to evacuate.

“The Department of State has initiated assisted departure flights from Israel,” Huckabee said. “With airspace largely closed, the challenges are significant. If you have the option, TAKE IT.”

Israeli airline El Al announced on Saturday that starting Monday, they would be offering 50 seats on flights departing from Tel Aviv to eight destinations, including New York and Los Angeles, for those seeking to leave the region.

President Trump stated on Saturday, June 21, that the U.S. has completed strikes on the Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear facilities after deploying B-2 stealth bombers to the area.

‘We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran,’ Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

‘A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home. Congratulations to our great American Warriors.’ 

The conflict started a week ago when Israel began conducting airstrikes against Iranian nuclear and military sites, primarily targeting uranium enrichment facilities to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

The two countries have been engaged in aerial strikes that have led to at least 657 people being killed, including 263 civilians, in Iran, the Washington-based group Health Rights Activist told the AP.  At least 24 people in Israel have been killed, Israeli officials say.

Strikes on Friday wounded 23 people in the northern part of Israel, emergency services Magen David Adom said.

Hundreds of Americans have left Iran in the last week, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters.