The U.S. State Department has urged American citizens to “depart immediately” from over a dozen countries via commercial means “due to serious security risks,” as the armed conflict in the Middle East expands. The countries listed in the advisory include Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The escalation follows a joint attack by Israel and the United States against Iran early Saturday morning, reportedly aimed at “eliminating threats” posed by the Iranian government. According to reports, the attacks resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Jamenei, and at least four other high-ranking military officials.
In response to the strikes, Iran launched multiple waves of ballistic missiles toward Israel, as well as against U.S. Bases located in countries across the Middle East. The BBC reported on February 28, 2026, that the initial explosions occurred in central Tehran and spread to 24 of Iran’s 31 provinces, with the Iranian Red Crescent reporting over 200 deaths and 700 injuries as of that date.
The attacks prompted a statement from U.S. President Donald Trump, who described Ayatollah Jamenei as “one of the most evil people in history” and asserted that the situation presented “the greatest opportunity for the Iranian people to reclaim their country.” El País reported on March 3, 2026, that Trump also claimed the United States possesses an “unlimited supply” of weapons and that ammunition reserves are at an all-time high.
Amidst the escalating conflict, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense confirmed an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh early Tuesday morning, involving two drones that caused a “slight fire and minor damage” to the building. El País also reported that Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the offensive against Iran would continue “for a time,” but would not extend for years, characterizing it as a “quick and decisive” action.
The Israeli military has continued to bombard the suburbs of southern Beirut for a second consecutive day. Simultaneously, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a new wave of attacks targeting a U.S. Military base in Bahrain, claiming to have destroyed it.
The Guardian Revolutionary of Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a claim denied by the United States, according to El País. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing military actions and heightened tensions throughout the region.
