US begins evacuating Americans from Israel after Donald Trump orders strikes on Iran's nuclear sites
WASHINGTON, DC: The United States has begun evacuating its citizens from Israel following President Donald Trump's dramatic order to bomb three key Iranian nuclear facilities, marking a sharp escalation in the ongoing Middle East conflict.
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee confirmed the initiation of assisted departure flights, urging Americans to leave immediately, the Daily Mail reported
The Department of State has begun assisted departure flights from Israel.
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) June 21, 2025
If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident currently in Israel or the West Bank and seeking U.S. government assistance to depart, please complete this form so the Department of State can…
US evacuates citizens from Israel as Donald Trump orders bombing of Iranian nuclear sites
“The Department of State has begun assisted departure flights from Israel,” Sarah Huckabee warned. “With airspace mostly closed, the challenges are great. If given an option, TAKE IT.”
El Al, Israel’s national airline, announced that starting Monday, it will make 50 seats available per flight to US cities like New York and Los Angeles to accommodate the exodus.
The move follows Trump’s announcement Saturday, June 21, that the US military had completed strikes on Iran’s Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites, using B-2 stealth bombers deployed from Missouri to the region.
“All planes are safely on their way home,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Congratulations to our great American warriors. There is not another military in the World that could have done this. NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Trump's strike on Iran's heavily fortified Fordow site, located deep beneath the mountains southwest of Tehran, was delivered with what he described as a “full payload of BOMBS.” While US officials said the strike was successful, concerns remain about Iranian retaliation, especially since Fordow is protected by Iranian and Russian missile defenses, which Israeli sources claim were weakened in prior operations.
According to sources cited by The Times of Israel, a heated phone call between Israeli and American officials on Thursday saw Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu push Trump to act immediately, rejecting his initial idea of giving Iran a two-week ultimatum.
Vice President JD Vance, also on the call, objected to immediate action, cautioning that Israel is pulling the US into war.
Israel is now expected to move forward with a strike on the facility even though it currently lacks the specific munitions typically required for such a mission.
Russia warns of ‘radical destabilization’ after Donald Trump launches attack on Iran
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed Saturday that the ongoing strikes against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure are essential to Israel’s survival.
On Saturday, the Israel Defense Forces released a video showing their forces targeting Iranian F-14 fighter jets. Meanwhile, the US Air Force confirmed that the type of bomb capable of reaching the facility is specifically designed to be deployed by the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber.
Speaking as part of Israel’s ongoing Operation Rising Lion, Netanyahu reiterated that Iran’s nuclear and missile programs pose an existential threat that cannot be ignored.
Trump’s decision to launch strikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites has ignited significant global concern, especially from powers like Russia, which warned that such actions could “radically destabilize the Middle East.”
The White House confirmed that Trump was scheduled to meet with his national security team on Saturday to assess next steps, as tensions threaten to spiral further.
