[News] ‘Leave Iran Immediately’ – Western Governments Evacuate as US–Israel Edge Toward War

[Anti-Imperialist News]

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‘Leave Iran Immediately’ – Western Governments Evacuate as US–Israel Edge
Toward WarFebruary 19, 2026
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Part of joint military drills between the Russian and Iranian navies in the
Sea of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean. (Photo: IRNA)

*By Palestine Chronicle Staff
<https://www.palestinechronicle.com/writers/palestine-chronicle-staff>*

Evacuation orders and unprecedented military deployments signal rising odds
of US-Israeli strikes despite fragile Geneva diplomacy.

Key Developments

   - Poland urged its citizens to leave Iran immediately, warning
   evacuation could become impossible within hours.
   - Germany temporarily relocated dozens of its soldiers from Erbil amid
   rising regional tensions.
   - The US is expanding military deployments, including the USS Gerald R.
   Ford, additional warships, submarines, and air assets.
   - US officials say forces could be ready to strike by the end of the
   week, though President Trump has not made a final decision.
   - Israel has raised its military alert level and is preparing for
   possible multi-front escalation, including Hezbollah involvement.
   - Israeli officials say coordination with Washington is at “the highest
   level,” and a strike option remains on the table.
   - IAEA chief Rafael Grossi warned that the “window of diplomacy” is
   beginning to close despite ongoing Geneva talks.
   - Iran has agreed to submit a written proposal in Geneva, but
   significant gaps reportedly remain over uranium enrichment.

Military Build-Up Accelerates

Western governments are urging their citizens to leave Iran immediately as
the United States dramatically expands its military footprint across the
Middle East and Israel moves to heightened alert, signaling that diplomacy
may be giving way to confrontation.

Poland issued one of the most direct warnings. Prime Minister Donald Tusk
called on Polish nationals to leave Iran “immediately,” cautioning that a
military conflict could make evacuation impossible within hours. “Please
leave Iran immediately… and do not travel to this country under any
circumstances,” Tusk said Thursday, reflecting growing European alarm.

Germany also confirmed the temporary relocation of dozens of its soldiers
from Erbil in northern Iraq amid escalating regional tensions. A German
Defense Ministry spokesperson told Agence France-Presse that “only the
personnel necessary to maintain operational capabilities remain on site,”
underscoring concerns that the crisis could spill beyond Iran.

The surge in warnings comes as indirect US-Iran talks continue in Geneva
under Omani mediation. Iran has said the two sides agreed on a set of
“guiding principles,” while US officials have emphasized that “significant
details remain unresolved.”

Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA), warned that time is running out. The latest US military movements,
he said, suggest that “the window of diplomacy is beginning to close.”
Grossi noted that discussions had for the first time begun to “really take
shape” around concrete steps, but described the task as “extremely
complicated” under mounting escalation.
Washington Expands Firepower

Despite the diplomatic messaging, American military deployments have
intensified at a scale described by multiple US outlets as unprecedented in
recent years.

NBC News, citing US officials and open-source intelligence, reported that
the Pentagon is sending additional warships, air defense systems and
submarines to the region in preparation for a possible strike on Iran. The
aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is expected to arrive in the Middle
East in the coming days, joining the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike
group already operating in Gulf waters.

CBS News reported that senior national security officials informed
President Donald Trump that US forces would be ready to conduct strikes “by
the end of the week.” However, Trump has not made a final decision.

CNN reported that the US Air Force has begun relocating fighter jets and
aerial refueling aircraft from bases in Britain to locations closer to the
Middle East. Satellite-tracking accounts on social media have identified a
significant increase in US fighter aircraft, refueling tankers, and AWACS
surveillance planes moving toward Europe and regional bases.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States now has 13 naval
vessels deployed across the Middle East and eastern Mediterranean to
support potential operations. Officials told the newspaper that the US
possesses the firepower to sustain a prolonged air campaign against Iran if
ordered.

The New York Times, citing Pentagon and administration officials, reported
that the Gerald R. Ford may initially deploy near Israel’s coast to
reinforce air defense coordination. A US military official told the paper
that American forces are now positioned to protect US troops and allies
from potential Iranian retaliation.

Axios cited a presidential adviser estimating a “90 percent” likelihood of
military action in the coming weeks, though the figure has not been
officially confirmed.

Vice President J.D. Vance stated that Washington continues to assess the
viability of diplomacy while keeping “other options” on the table. White
House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said diplomacy remains the president’s
“first choice,” but confirmed that military options remain available.
Israel on High Alert

Israeli media report that the Israeli army has raised its preparedness
level in anticipation of possible US military action.

KAN, Israel’s public broadcaster, reported that the army is “prepared and
alert” in light of a potential US strike. Military spokesperson Avichay
Adraee said, “If we are attacked, we will respond forcefully.”

According to KAN, alert levels have also been raised along Israel’s
northern border with Lebanon in anticipation of potential escalation
involving Hezbollah. Emergency services have reportedly been instructed to
prepare for multi-front scenarios.

Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon said that while
President Trump favors a diplomatic solution, “the option of a strike on
Iran remains on the table,” urging the Israeli public to prepare for all
possibilities.

The Israeli daily Haaretz reported that security establishment assessments
indicate a rising likelihood of a US strike following the latest Geneva
talks. The paper cited officials saying that “significant gaps remain”
between Washington and Tehran, particularly over US demands that Iran
abandon uranium enrichment on its own territory.

KAN also reported that Israel is preparing for the possibility of receiving
a US “green light” to target Iran’s ballistic missile system. Close
coordination between the two countries continues in intelligence,
communications, and air defense.
Markets React

Financial markets have already responded to the mounting tension. Gulf
stock exchanges declined in early trading Thursday as investors weighed the
prospects of diplomatic de-escalation against expanding military
deployments.

Energy markets are closely watching developments. Any disruption to Gulf
shipping lanes or oil infrastructure would likely trigger immediate global
price volatility.

Meanwhile, satellite imagery cited by international media suggests that
Iran has reinforced some of its nuclear facilities with additional layers
of concrete and earth, signaling preparations for potential strikes.
Talks Continue

The military escalation unfolds against the backdrop of indirect talks in
Geneva mediated by Oman. Iranian officials said the sides agreed on
“guiding principles” and that Tehran is prepared to present a written
proposal addressing US concerns.

A senior US official quoted by Reuters confirmed that Washington expects
Iran to submit a written proposal clarifying its position. “We are waiting
for that now from the Iranians,” the official said.

Since withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear agreement in 2018, Washington has
accused Tehran of advancing toward nuclear weapons capability. Iran
maintains that its program is strictly peaceful and has signaled openness
to a new agreement that guarantees non-weaponization in exchange for
sanctions relief.

*(PC, Anadolu, Al-Maysdeen, AJA, US Media, Iraniuan Media) *
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