Rubio to Visit Israel Next Week as US-Iran Tensions Soar/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit Israel next week as U.S.-Iran tensions intensify. The trip follows stalled nuclear talks and the U.S. Embassy authorizing voluntary departures. A major U.S. military buildup in the region underscores rising security concerns.
Quick Look: Rising U.S.-Iran Tensions
- Rubio visiting Israel Monday and Tuesday.
- Focus on Iran, Lebanon and Gaza peace efforts.
- U.S. Embassy authorizes voluntary staff departures.
- Nuclear talks in Geneva ended without agreement.
- Technical discussions planned next week in Vienna.
- IAEA says access to Iranian facilities remains limited.
- U.S. military buildup underway in the Middle East.
- Several countries adjusting embassy operations and travel guidance.
Deep Look: Rubio to Visit Israel Next Week as US-Iran Tensions Soar
TEL AVIV, Israel — Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to Israel early next week as tensions between the United States and Iran continue to rise, the State Department announced Friday.
Rubio is scheduled to visit Monday and Tuesday to discuss “regional priorities including Iran, Lebanon, and ongoing efforts to implement President Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza,” according to the department. Additional details about his meetings were not immediately released.
The announcement came hours after the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem placed non-essential personnel and family members on “authorized departure” status — allowing eligible staff to leave voluntarily at government expense.
Embassy Urges Quick Decisions
In an email to staff, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee urged employees considering departure to act swiftly.
“Those wishing to take AD should do so TODAY,” Huckabee wrote, referring to authorized departure.
He cautioned that while flights may still be available in the coming days, that could change quickly. Though he emphasized there was no cause for panic, Huckabee encouraged anyone planning to leave to secure flights promptly and make arrangements to return to Washington.
The email followed the third round of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran in Geneva, which concluded Thursday without a breakthrough. Technical-level talks are scheduled to continue next week in Vienna.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Vice President JD Vance is expected to meet Friday in Washington with Oman’s foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, who has been mediating between the U.S. and Iran.
Al-Busaidi said Thursday that “significant progress” had been made, though neither Washington nor Tehran has publicly announced any concrete steps forward.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said only that Tehran’s position had been clearly communicated.
Meanwhile, a confidential report from the International Atomic Energy Agency circulated to member states and reviewed Friday indicated that Iran has not granted inspectors access to nuclear facilities affected during the 12-day war in June. As a result, the U.N. watchdog cannot confirm whether Iran has halted uranium enrichment or verify the size of its stockpile.
Growing Regional Precautions
The U.S. decision to authorize voluntary departures reflects heightened contingency planning as American military assets — including aircraft and warships — amass across the Middle East.
Other countries are also adjusting their posture. Britain has temporarily withdrawn U.K. embassy staff from Iran and shifted operations to remote work. Australia has directed dependents of officials in Israel to leave, citing security concerns.
China has advised its citizens in Iran to depart, and India and several European nations have warned against travel to the region. Some international airlines, including KLM, have suspended flights from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport.
Despite the uncertainties, Huckabee told embassy staff during a town hall that he is encouraging airlines to maintain flight schedules for as long as possible.
Rubio’s upcoming visit underscores Washington’s effort to balance diplomacy with preparedness, as negotiations with Iran continue amid an increasingly volatile regional environment.
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