US embassy in 'Israel' remains closed as Iran missile strikes continue
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The US Embassy says the shelter-in-place order remains in place.
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The US embassy in occupied al-Quds appears in this undated photo (AP)
The US Embassy in "Israel" and its Tel Aviv consulate remained officially closed on Monday as both facilities remained under a “shelter in place” order amid ongoing Iranian missile strikes, according to US Ambassador to "Israel" Mike Huckabee.
Iran launched multiple missile salvos Monday, targeting cities across "Israel" including Tel Aviv and Haifa. A blast near the US Embassy’s Tel Aviv branch caused minor concussive damage to the exterior, but US personnel at both locations were unharmed, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Ambassador Huckabee confirmed on X that “no injuries to US personnel” were reported, and staff have been advised to remain indoors as a precaution.
#WATCH | Footage documents the damage that struck the #USEmbassy in Tel Aviv as a result of an Iranian missile attack#IranUnderAttack #OccupiedPalestine pic.twitter.com/CnfGb59uCW
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 16, 2025
He reported "some minor damage from concussions of Iranian missile," with "no injuries to US personnel" reported.
#WATCH | Footage documents the damage that struck the #USEmbassy in Tel Aviv as a result of an Iranian missile attack#IranUnderAttack #OccupiedPalestine pic.twitter.com/CnfGb59uCW
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 16, 2025
This closure comes amid intensification in the Israeli-initiated war on Iran. According to Reuters, Iran’s IRGC employed new tactics to overwhelm "Israel’s" air defense systems, striking key infrastructure like a power plant in Haifa and launching projectiles near residential areas.
With tensions at a high, the US embassy facilities will remain closed until regional security assessments improve. American staff have been ordered to shelter in place, monitor openings carefully, and await further instructions from Washington.
Trump warns Iran against expanding retaliation
Despite distancing the US from direct involvement in the Israeli operation, US President Donald Trump has praised the Israeli military campaign. At the same time, he has issued warnings to Tehran not to direct its response toward American assets, Reuters reported.
Two US officials also told Reuters on Friday that American forces had assisted in intercepting and shooting down Iranian missiles that were en route to targets in the occupied territories.
In related news, Trump recently blocked a proposed Israeli operation to assassinate Iran’s Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to Reuters, which cited two American officials familiar with the matter.
The officials, speaking to Reuters, said the proposal had been raised in recent days and was ultimately vetoed by Trump, amid concerns it could trigger a direct war with Iran and draw in US forces.
When asked about the Reuters report, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the claims during a Sunday appearance on Fox News, saying, "There's so many false reports of conversations that never happened, and I'm not going to get into that."
"We do what we need to do," he added during the broadcast of Special Report With Bret Baier.
