The US State Department ordered the departure of non-essential personnel and eligible family members from its embassy in Beirut on Monday, February 23, 2026. Officials confirmed that approximately 30-50 embassy staff members were evacuated, with 32 staff and family members departing through Beirut airport. The embassy remains operational with core staff in place, and officials characterized the move as a temporary safety measure based on continuous security assessments.
The evacuation occurs during heightened US-Iran tensions over nuclear negotiations. President Trump has threatened military action if Iran does not agree to limit its nuclear program, warning that "bad things will happen" and setting what appeared to be a 10-day deadline that expires this week. The US has assembled one of its largest military deployments to the Middle East in decades, including two aircraft carriers, with the USS Gerald R Ford repositioning to the region.
US and Iranian negotiators are scheduled to meet Thursday in Geneva for their third round of indirect talks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated there remains "a good chance" for diplomatic resolution, though both sides remain divided on key issues including sanctions relief sequencing. The US previously conducted airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, to which Iran responded by launching missiles at a US base in Qatar. Iran has threatened to strike US bases and facilities in the region if attacked again.