Aerial photo of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad along with the surrounding areas and the Tigris River, in Baghdad, Iraq, on June 12, 2025, following the U.S. government’s announcement of the evacuation of civilian staff from the embassy, adding particular relevance and significance to this material at this sensitive time when tensions with Iran rise. Photo by Ali Abdul Wahid/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images
By Louis Keene
June 12, 2025
Israel is on high alert Friday morning anticipating retaliation by Iran, after it launched what it called a preemptive attack against its most powerful Middle Eastern rival.
President Trump had publicly urged Israel to delay any attack on Iran as the United States continued diplomatic efforts. Trump’s top negotiator who is working to strike a nuclear deal with Iran, Steve Witkoff, reportedly warned Senate Republicans last week that an Iranian response to an Israeli strike could result in mass civilian casualties in Israel.
The U.S. began to evacuate diplomats and military families this week in anticipation of Iran targeting American interests, according to Axios.
The IDF announced that effective immediately all non-essential in-person educational and workplace gatherings were prohibited in Israel.
Last year, Israel struck military facilities within Iran and Iran responded with a barrage of missiles that Israel mostly shot down with the help of its allies, including the United States.
JTA contributed to this report.
