US Embassy in Israel warns employees to shelter in place amid threat of Iran missile attack

The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem is cautioning all government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice as Iran prepares to launch missiles at Israel.

The warning came as U.S. officials said they expected Iran to attack Israel with missile and drone strikes on Tuesday.

“The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness as security incidents, including mortar and rocket fire and unmanned aircraft system UAS intrusions, often take place without warning,” the embassy said in a Tuesday release. “The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events.”

The embassy warned against travel to Gaza and within 2.5 miles of the Israeli border with Lebanon and Syria and encouraged U.S. citizens to listen for a “red alert” siren in the event of a hostile aircraft intrusion.

The release coincides with a senior White House official statement that says an attack could be launched “imminently.”

Iran’s aggression comes as Israel announced raids into southern Lebanon to search for members of the militant group Hezbollah. Israel just last week launched a strike on Beirut that killed the leader of Hezbollah, a militant group tied to Iran that the U.S. lists as a terrorist group.

Iran last attacked Israel in April, sending 300 drones and missiles toward the nation which were intercepted by Israeli forces with the help of its U.S. allies.