U.S. allows some embassy staff to leave Israel, citing safety risks amid Iran threats

The U.S. said Friday it would permit non-emergency government personnel and family members to leave Israel over safety risks, amid growing concerns about the risk of a military conflict with Iran.

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem did not elaborate on the safety risks leading to the “authorized departure,” which allows affected personnel to decide whether to leave. It falls short of the ordered departure instituted this week for some personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.

The U.S. has built up one of its biggest military deployments in the Middle East as it negotiates with Iran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program. The latest round of talks ended on Thursday with no sign of a breakthrough.

Thursday’s negotiations in Geneva were “positive” from the Trump administration’s perspective, two people familiar with the talks told NBC News. The sources declined to share details of the negotiations.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also had a positive view of the talks, which he said were indirect and lasted about six hours.

Iran has threatened to strike American bases in the region if it is attacked, and an escalation could also draw in Israel. The two foes fought a 12-day war in June.

Several countries have begun withdrawing dependents of diplomatic personnel and non-essential staff from some locations in the Middle East, or advising citizens to avoid travel to Iran, amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran.