LBCI

US pulling non-essential staff from embassy in Beirut amid Iran tensions

23-02-2026 | 10:49

Share

Share

US pulling non-essential staff from embassy in Beirut amid Iran tensions

The State Department is pulling out non-essential government personnel and their eligible family members from the U.S. embassy in Beirut, a senior State Department official said on Monday, amid growing concerns about the risk of a military conflict with Iran.

"We continuously assess the security environment, and based on our latest review, we determined it prudent to reduce our footprint to essential personnel," said a senior State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

"The Embassy remains operational with core staff in place. This is a temporary measure intended to ensure the safety of our personnel while maintaining our ability to operate and assist U.S. citizens," the official said.

A source at the U.S. embassy said 50 people had been evacuated, while an official at Beirut airport said 32 embassy staff, along with family members, had flown out of Beirut airport on Monday.

Reuters

Lebanon News

US

Staff

Embassy

Lebanon

Beirut

Iran

Tensions

Next

Lebanon’s human rights committee approves draft to abolish death penalty

US Embassy evacuates staff from Beirut airport as precaution: LBCI sources

Previous

Recommended For You

Israeli military chief says plans proposed to expand operations in Lebanon, border area to Litani to be cleared of Hezbollah

13:26

Israeli military chief says plans proposed to expand operations in Lebanon, border area to Litani to be cleared of Hezbollah

President Aoun to CNN: We have a great opportunity to end hostilities between Lebanon and Israel

13:21

President Aoun to CNN: We have a great opportunity to end hostilities between Lebanon and Israel

Israel's dilemma in Lebanon: Escalate or wait for Washington

News Bulletin Reports

13:00

Israel's dilemma in Lebanon: Escalate or wait for Washington

Full LBCI interview with Axios Correspondant Barak Ravid on Lebanon talks and ceasefire negotiations

12:57

Full LBCI interview with Axios Correspondant Barak Ravid on Lebanon talks and ceasefire negotiations

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Trump says Iran talks could yield result this weekend

2026-06-03

Trump says Iran talks could yield result this weekend

Salam meets Macron as preparations advance for army support conference

2026-01-23

Salam meets Macron as preparations advance for army support conference

Israeli military chief says plans proposed to expand operations in Lebanon, border area to Litani to be cleared of Hezbollah

13:26

Israeli military chief says plans proposed to expand operations in Lebanon, border area to Litani to be cleared of Hezbollah

Israel strikes Beirut's suburbs shortly after warning

2026-03-31

Israel strikes Beirut's suburbs shortly after warning

Videos

Israeli army releases footage of first tank crossing Litani River toward Beaufort Castle

2026-05-31

Israeli army releases footage of first tank crossing Litani River toward Beaufort Castle

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

2026-03-25

Iran uses cluster bombs to target Israel: AiTelly explains what happens when a missile is intercepted—Video

At least 19 killed after strike destroys three-story building in Sir el-Gharbiyeh: Video

2026-03-08

At least 19 killed after strike destroys three-story building in Sir el-Gharbiyeh: Video

Israeli airstrike targets Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

2026-03-06

Israeli airstrike targets Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

Intense consecutive airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

2026-03-05

Intense consecutive airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs: Video

Israeli army launches evening airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after evacuation warning

2026-03-05

Israeli army launches evening airstrikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs after evacuation warning

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

2026-03-02

Smoke rises over Beirut’s southern suburbs as Israel targets area: Video

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

2026-02-16

German President Steinmeier meets Lebanon's President Aoun at Baabda Palace—Video

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

2026-02-14

Future Movement supporters mark Rafic Hariri anniversary, call for Saad Hariri's return to politics

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Israeli military chief says plans proposed to expand operations in Lebanon, border area to Litani to be cleared of Hezbollah

1

Israeli military chief says plans proposed to expand operations in Lebanon, border area to Litani to be cleared of Hezbollah

Lebanon President to CNN: Iran is using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in talks with US

2

Lebanon President to CNN: Iran is using Lebanon as a bargaining chip in talks with US

Sources to LBCI: Army commander heads to Pakistan for talks with his Pakistani counterpart

3

Sources to LBCI: Army commander heads to Pakistan for talks with his Pakistani counterpart

Berri criticizes ceasefire framework, calls for parallel Israeli withdrawal

4

Berri criticizes ceasefire framework, calls for parallel Israeli withdrawal

HSBC placed under formal investigation over Lebanese central bank scandal

5

HSBC placed under formal investigation over Lebanese central bank scandal

Full LBCI interview with Axios Correspondant Barak Ravid on Lebanon talks and ceasefire negotiations

6

Full LBCI interview with Axios Correspondant Barak Ravid on Lebanon talks and ceasefire negotiations

President Aoun to CNN: We have a great opportunity to end hostilities between Lebanon and Israel

7

President Aoun to CNN: We have a great opportunity to end hostilities between Lebanon and Israel

Israeli army issues evacuation warning for residents of three Lebanese towns

8

Israeli army issues evacuation warning for residents of three Lebanese towns

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More