Sudden escalation in the Middle East! U.S. State Department: Evacuate!

The situation in the Middle East continues to escalate.

On February 23 local time, the U.S. State Department ordered non-emergency government personnel and their families to evacuate the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon. The embassy also updated its travel advisory on the same day, strongly recommending U.S. citizens in Lebanon to leave immediately.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military has taken significant action. CCTV News learned that on February 23 local time, the U.S. Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, arrived at Souda Bay on Crete Island, Greece. Some U.S. aerial refueling and transport aircraft also landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, within the past day.

At a critical moment, internal disagreements within U.S. decision-makers regarding military action against Iran seem to be surfacing. Reports indicate that Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, is cautious about launching a large-scale military operation against Iran. In response, President Trump posted on social media on the 23rd denying reports that Milley opposed military strikes on Iran.

U.S. Orders: Evacuation

On February 24, according to CCTV News, on February 23 local time, the U.S. State Department raised the travel warning for Lebanon to “Level 4: Do Not Travel,” the highest level of travel advisory issued by the department.

The State Department stated that due to risks such as “crime, terrorism, social unrest, kidnapping, unexploded landmines, and armed conflict,” U.S. citizens are advised not to travel to Lebanon, especially in border areas where risks are higher.

On the same day, citing security conditions in Beirut, the U.S. State Department ordered non-emergency personnel and their families to evacuate the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon. The U.S. side stated that embassy personnel are not permitted to undertake personal travel without prior approval and warned that security concerns or threats could lead to further restrictions on U.S. personnel’s movements with little notice.

The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon updated its travel advisory on the 23rd, stating that the U.S. government has ordered non-emergency personnel and their families to leave Lebanon. The travel warning level remains at “Level 4: Do Not Travel.” Out of caution, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut has suspended all routine consular services until further notice; U.S. citizens in Lebanon are strongly advised to leave immediately; commercial airports remain open with flights available, though cancellations may occur at any time; U.S. citizens who choose not to leave should prepare contingency plans for worsening conditions.

Earlier, Lebanese sources reported that to prevent potential attacks and respond to regional developments, the U.S. Embassy in Lebanon evacuated dozens of staff members on February 23, who left from Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport.

U.S. Aircraft Carrier Arrives

CCTV News reported that on February 23, the U.S. Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, arrived at Souda Bay on Crete Island, Greece.

The island hosts a NATO military base and is a key strategic facility for Greece, the U.S., and NATO in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The White House previously ordered the deployment of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. The Ford and its escort ships were dispatched from the Caribbean Sea to the Middle East, joining the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group in the Persian Gulf.

The last time the U.S. deployed two aircraft carriers in the Middle East was in April last year, when the Harry S. Truman and Carl Vinson strike groups launched large-scale airstrikes against Houthi forces in Yemen.

CCTV learned on February 23 that some U.S. aerial refueling and transport aircraft landed at Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv within the past day. It is unclear whether these military aircraft are only using the airport as a temporary stopover.

The Israeli authorities have not yet commented on such deployments at major civilian airports.

Israel remains on high alert. On February 23, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the Knesset, stating that Israel is facing an “extremely complex and challenging period,” but is prepared for all scenarios.

Netanyahu said, “No one knows what tomorrow will bring. I have made it clear to Iran that if they commit the gravest mistake in history and attack Israel, we will respond with unimaginable force.”

He called for national unity and said that the U.S.-Israel alliance has “reached unprecedented levels” amid regional tensions.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated at a weekly press conference in Tehran on the 23rd that any attack on Iran would be considered an act of aggression and would bear the appropriate consequences.

Disagreements Among U.S. Leaders

Reports indicate that U.S. top military leader, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, has been advising President Trump and other senior officials that military action against Iran could entail significant risks, especially the possibility of a prolonged conflict.

According to Xinhua News Agency, Trump posted on social media on the 23rd denying reports that Milley opposed military strikes on Iran. Trump stated that the media reports claiming Milley “opposes war with Iran” are without any credible sources.

Currently, the White House is engaged in intense discussions on how to handle the confrontation with Iran and the potential consequences of various options. While some sources suggest Trump favors taking action, voices around him are urging caution.

U.S. officials familiar with the matter revealed that, similar to the Venezuela operation, Trump has authorized a small “think tank” to simulate Iran-related scenarios and provide him with a range of options. Unlike the full support for the Venezuela operation, General Milley has been more cautious in discussions about Iran, believing that launching a major operation carries higher risks of entanglement and U.S. casualties.

Some U.S. officials also noted that current U.S. missile interception reserves are only sufficient to counter Iran’s missile barrage for about two weeks, which would further deplete the limited stocks of Patriot, THAAD, and SM-3 interceptors.

The report also mentioned that Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed concerns about the risks during internal deliberations, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken remains “wait-and-see.” U.S. Middle East envoy Robert Witte and Jared Kushner have been urging Trump to delay action to allow diplomatic efforts.