US Embassies Across the Mideast Issue Travel Warnings for Americans

At least eight U.S. embassies issued alerts on Friday.

US embassy in Tel Aviv, on December 6, 2017. Jack Guez/AFP via Getty Images

At least eight U.S. embassies in the Middle East have released advisories that echo broader “worldwide caution” and regional warnings that the State Department has put out since last weekend.

The embassies that issued the alerts on X, by reposting an alert from the State Department, or through the State Department website were Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the virtual embassy in Iran. Security alerts were issued last week for Qatar, Oman, and Lebanon.

Neither the broader worldwide alerts from the State Department nor the country-specific ones being released on Friday say that intensified hostilities are imminent, but they note that some airlines have already canceled flights into the region and that others may follow suit.

“Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions,” one alert said on Friday.

Some of the travel alerts also advised that there are limited options to leave the Middle East amid escalating fighting between the United States, Iran, and Iranian proxies in the region.

The Friday alert said, “Some airlines in the region have postponed resumption of earlier flight schedules; others have canceled some routes. Americans should follow the latest guidance from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and can contact the U.S. Department of State to receive information or assistance.”

Last weekend, the State Department sent out a “worldwide caution” notice to U.S. citizens, citing the conflict in Iran. It said in part that U.S. citizens who are outside the Middle East shouldn’t travel there, or through the region.

“Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world,” the department said. After the initial phase of the U.S.–Iran conflict started in late February, the agency released a similar worldwide alert to Americans.

Countries in the Middle East with “Level 4–Do Not Travel” advisories include Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen.

The notices come as U.S. forces launched a 13th consecutive round of strikes against Iranian military targets on Thursday, according to the U.S. Central Command. Those attacks, it said, are designed to diminish Iran’s military capabilities, namely when attacking commercial ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

Warning of a possible escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday told the Axios news website that he is close to making a decision on whether to launch a “massive attack” against Iran, coming days after he warned of striking the country’s bridges and power plants in retaliation for the Strait of Hormuz attacks.

The conflict has also spilled over to the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula as Yemen-based Houthis, an armed terror group long backed by Tehran, claimed they attacked Saudi oil tankers attempting to travel the Red Sea. Trump said the U.S. military would hold Iran responsible for attacks launched by the group.

Also Friday, the United Nations called for countries and ship owners to help rescue around 6,600 sailors and crew members left stranded by the Iranian attacks on vessels in the strait. The U.S. military has enforced an on-and-off-again blockade of vessels going to and coming from Iranian ports since the war started.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.