U.S. tells embassy staff in Israel to leave now if they want amid Trump threats to attack Iran

The United States on Friday told some embassy staff that they could leave Israel — and that those who want to must do so quickly — as fears of an American attack on Iran fueled alarm throughout the region.

TEL AVIV — The United States on Friday told some embassy staff that they could leave Israel — and that those who want to must do so quickly — as fears of an American attack on Iran fueled alarm throughout the region.

The message, conveyed in an email from Ambassador Mike Huckabee that was sent to the U.S. mission, instructed those wishing to leave to “do so TODAY.” NBC News has seen the email, which was first reported by The New York Times.

The guidance was issued out of “an abundance of caution” after meetings and calls through the night including conversations with the State Department, Huckabee said in the email.

“There is no need to panic,” the email read. “For those desiring to leave, it’s important to make plans to depart sooner rather than later.”

He also urged anyone intending to leave to go ahead and book flights, citing the likely surge in demand out of Israel after the embassy's move.