US tells staff in Israel not to travel outside cities amid Iran threat

US tells staff in Israel not to travel outside cities amid Iran threat

The US has told its staff in Israel not to travel outside three cities amid the threat of a retaliatory strike from Iran. 

Employees and their family members have been restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva areas, the US embassy said. 

"Out of an abundance of caution, US government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be'er Sheva areas until further notice," it said in a security alert on its website. 

Iran has vowed revenge for a deadly airstrike on its embassy compound in Damascus last week.

US President Joe Biden has said Iran was threatening to launch a "significant attack in Israel," and that his country remained committed to its ally's security.