The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed from Wednesday, June 18 through Friday, June 20, due to heightened security concerns in the region, the U.S. State Department announced on Tuesday.

“Given the security situation and in compliance with Israel Home Front Command guidance, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem will be closed tomorrow (Wednesday, June 18) through Friday (June 20). This includes the Consular Sections in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,” the department said in a statement on X.

Embassy Closure Comes Amid Missile Strikes

The embassy closure follows a dramatic escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran, who launched fresh rounds of missile strikes at each other early Wednesday morning. Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv as Iran fired multiple barrages at Israeli targets, marking the sixth consecutive day of conflict.

Simultaneously, Israel warned residents in parts of Tehran to evacuate ahead of planned airstrikes targeting Iranian military installations, including a university affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Khojir missile facility.

Amid cyber attacks, missile strikes, and a fast-deepening conflict, the U.S. has so far refrained from direct military engagement but has assisted Israel in intercepting Iranian projectiles.

Iranian officials have reported over 220 deaths, primarily civilians, while Israel has confirmed 24 civilian casualties.

Trump Demands “Unconditional Surrender” of Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken an increasingly hardline stance in recent days. On Tuesday, he warned Iran via Truth Social that “our patience is wearing thin,” and demanded Iran’s “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER” just minutes later.

Though he ruled out targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei “for now,” Trump emphasized that the U.S. knows “exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding.” The statements have intensified speculation about potential deeper U.S. involvement in the conflict.

A White House official confirmed Trump had held a 90-minute National Security Council meeting Tuesday and had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by phone. U.S. military deployments to the region have been increased, including additional fighter jets and extended air force operations.