By Micah Jonah, February 23, 2026
The United States has instructed non-emergency personnel, their eligible family members to leave its embassy in Beirut following growing regional tensions. The move comes as Washington continues to amass military assets in the Middle East, with President Donald Trump threatening Iran repeatedly.
A senior US State Department official said the decision was “prudent to reduce our footprint to essential personnel” while maintaining the embassy’s operational capacity and ability to assist citizens.
The departure occurs amid a surge in Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which killed at least 12 people on a recent Friday, and ongoing violations of the 2024 US-brokered ceasefire by Israel. Israel continues to occupy five outposts inside Lebanese territory, block the reconstruction of border towns, and restrict displaced residents from returning home.
Hezbollah, weakened by Israel’s 2024 offensive, has warned it may intervene militarily if Iran is attacked. Its deputy chief, Naim Qassem, stated Lebanon could be targeted in such a conflict and emphasized readiness to defend the country.
The Lebanese government has repeatedly appealed to the international community, including the US, to pressure Israel to end ceasefire violations, but little progress has been made. US support for the Lebanese military continues, though some officials suggest it is aimed at countering Hezbollah rather than defending Lebanon from Israel.
The US embassy in Beirut, one of the largest in the world, is now housed in a fortified campus in the northern suburb of Aaoukar. The temporary reduction in staff is a precautionary measure amid fears of a wider regional conflict.
