• US Embassy in Israel to close from June 18 to June 20 amid rising tensions.
• All US government employees and families ordered to shelter in place.
• Ongoing military conflict between Israel and Iran, with airstrikes and missile exchanges reported.

The US Embassy in Israel has announced that it will be closed from Wednesday, June 18, through Friday, June 20, due to escalating tensions in the region. The closure affects both the Consular Sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as specified by the State Department, which acknowledged the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. The embassy has also directed all US government personnel and their family members to "shelter in place" "until further notice" amid this security situation, according to aa and indiatimes.

The decision comes as the military conflict between Israel and Iran intensifies, with reports of airstrikes by Israel targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites, which has prompted retaliatory missile strikes from Tehran. The embassy noted that no evacuation plans for American citizens had been announced, despite the increasing violence that reportedly includes loud explosions heard across major Israeli cities. This context emphasizes the precarious situation, underscored by the fact that the US military has not engaged in offensive actions but has taken defensive measures when necessary, according to newsweek and aa.

Statements from U.S. officials indicate that the embassy's closure is in compliance with guidance from the Israel Home Front Command. The ambassador has reported minor damages caused by nearby missile impacts at the Tel Aviv branch of the embassy, but fortunately, there have been no injuries to US personnel. Overall, the embassy is taking significant precautions as tensions in the region continue to grow, highlighting the broader implications for US involvement and strategy in Middle Eastern affairs, according to aa and indiatimes.