US issues travel warning for Israel amid Middle East tensions

The US State Department has issued a warning to its citizens regarding travel to Israel, amid concerns over a potential new military escalation in the Middle East. The advisory comes as fears grow of renewed Houthi military operations, Iranian plans in the region, and the widening scope of regional confrontations.

The department urged US nationals to exercise extreme caution and to closely follow updates and alerts issued by US embassies and consulates, according to Israel's Walla news website.

The State Department has also maintained its highest-level travel warning for Iraq, citing potential attacks and an increased risk of violence and kidnapping targeting American citizens.

It stressed that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens in the event of any escalation.

The United States has begun reducing staff numbers at several of its embassies in the Middle East, and is relocating diplomats and their families from the region. This comes amid intelligence warnings in Washington of Iranian plots to assassinate American officials.