Urgent warning issued to Americans in Middle East

The US State Department has issued an urgent warning for American citizens to immediately leave over a dozen countries across the Middle East, citing “serious safety risks” as Iran’s retaliatory strikes against US and Israeli targets continue to escalate.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar stated Washington “urges Americans to DEPART NOW from the countries below using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks.”

The warning covers Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Americans requiring assistance with commercial departures have been directed to call the State Department’s 24-hour hotline and enroll in the STEP program for security updates.

The advisory comes as Iran has launched targeted attacks on US bases and assets across the Gulf region in retaliation for the unprovoked US-Israeli strikes that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top commanders on Saturday. 

The retaliatory strikes have also targeted major regional aviation hubs, including Dubai International Airport – the world’s busiest – where damage and casualties were reported, as well as sites near international airports in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq.