Middle East Tensions Rise as US Evacuates Embassy Staff from Lebanon
The United States government evacuated dozens of personnel from its embassy in Lebanon on Monday (23 February) local time. The evacuation was ordered after President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran, which maintains close ties with the Shiite group Hezbollah in Lebanon.
A US State Department official, speaking on condition of anonymity, as reported by Anadolu Agency and AFP on Tuesday (24 February 2026), confirmed that non-emergency US diplomatic personnel and their eligible family members had been evacuated from the diplomatic mission in Beirut.
The US official stated that the decision to reduce embassy staffing was “temporary”.
“This is a temporary measure intended to ensure the safety of our personnel, whilst maintaining our ability to operate and assist US citizens,” the senior State Department official said.
According to a Lebanese security source speaking to AFP, approximately 40 US Embassy personnel flew out of Lebanon via Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on Monday (23 February) local time.
The senior US official explained that the evacuation order applied to non-emergency staff and their family members, with the US Embassy in Beirut remaining open.
“We continue to assess the security situation, and based on our latest review, we determined it would be prudent to reduce our personnel to essential staff only,” the official explained.
“The embassy remains operational with core staff,” the senior US official affirmed.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, the US Embassy said its personnel in Lebanon were “prohibited from personal travel without prior authorisation”.
“Additional travel restrictions may be imposed on US personnel under the Chief of Mission’s security responsibility, with little or no notice due to heightened security concerns or threats,” the US Embassy in Lebanon stated.
Trump has ordered a large-scale deployment of US military assets to the Middle East in recent times. He has threatened to strike Iran if the country fails to reach an agreement on key issues, beginning with its nuclear programme.
The threat was made as nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran resumed, with the latest round scheduled for Thursday (26 February) in Geneva, Switzerland. The Iranian government awaits the latest talks with the US in what is being regarded as a final diplomatic effort.