The U.S. State Department on Monday issued a stark warning to American citizens across the Middle East, urging them to depart the region immediately due to escalating security risks. The advisory encompasses Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a video statement released alongside the advisory, cited “cowardly attacks” by Iran on Gulf states as a primary driver of the decision. He emphasized that the safety and security of American citizens worldwide remains the department’s “number one priority.” Rubio urged Americans in the region to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and closely monitor security updates disseminated through the State Department’s WhatsApp channel and social media platforms.
The travel advisory follows a series of escalating tensions sparked by U.S. And Israeli military actions against Iran over the weekend, including the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has responded with missile and drone strikes targeting regional locations, prompting reciprocal actions and widespread concern.
Early Tuesday, a suspected Iranian drone struck the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, causing “limited fire and minor material damages,” according to the Saudi Ministry of Defence. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh subsequently issued a “shelter in place” notice to American personnel. President Donald Trump, when questioned about a potential response, stated, “you’ll find out soon.”
Reports indicate hundreds of people have been killed in Iran as a result of the U.S.-Israeli offensive, including over 100 children, according to the Red Crescent humanitarian organization. Six American soldiers have died in retaliatory attacks on U.S. Military bases in the Middle East. Suspected Iranian strikes have as well targeted civilian infrastructure in Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia’s largest oil refinery and a luxury hotel in Dubai, resulting in more than a dozen deaths.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in a statement posted on Telegram, announced its intention to target “American political centers” in the Middle East, claiming the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh was a preliminary step. Attacks have also been reported at the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait on Sunday, and Monday.
The conflict has extended to the Israel-Lebanon border, with Israel conducting airstrikes on Beirut and exchanging fire with Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed paramilitary group. Israel reportedly killed at least 31 people in strikes on Monday, and intercepted drones launched from Lebanon on Tuesday. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the actions of both Hezbollah and Israel, accusing them of using Lebanon as a proxy battleground.
President Trump and his administration have signaled a continuation of military pressure on Iran. Trump told CNN that the “substantial wave” of U.S. Attacks is yet to come, while Secretary Rubio indicated that “the hardest hits are yet to come from the U.S. Military,” suggesting a more expansive campaign than the initial operation, dubbed “Epic Fury.” Trump also indicated a potential deployment of U.S. Troops, acknowledging the possibility of further American casualties.
Commercial air travel has been severely disrupted, complicating evacuation efforts. Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, reports over 11,000 flights have been canceled since Saturday. Several airlines have suspended services, including Etihad Airways and Emirates, though limited repatriation flights have resumed. Etihad resumed at least 16 departures from Abu Dhabi on Monday evening, and Emirates initiated limited flights prioritizing existing bookings. Flydubai also resumed a limited number of flights. Dubai Airports has allowed limited operations at Dubai International and Dubai World Central, urging passengers to confirm flight status before traveling. Qatar’s airspace remains closed, suspending all flights to and from Doha.
The number of Americans affected is substantial, though precise figures remain unclear. Prior to October 2023, approximately 600,000 Americans resided in Israel. As of 2015, around 15,000 Americans lived in Qatar, 30,000 in Kuwait, 50,000 in the U.A.E., 80,000 in Saudi Arabia, and 43,000 in Lebanon. Estimates suggest between 45,000 and 60,000 Palestinian Americans live in the West Bank, and 60,000 Americans reside in Egypt. The State Department does not track the number of American tourists in the region.
The British government has also issued travel warnings and dispatched rapid deployment teams to assist British nationals in the Middle East, with over 100,000 British citizens having registered their presence in the region.
