Worldwide Security Alert – March 22, 2026 – U.S. Department of State

U.S. Urges Citizens to Depart Middle East Amid Escalating Tensions

The U.S. Department of State is urging all American citizens to immediately depart more than a dozen countries in the Middle East, citing serious safety risks linked to escalating U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran. The advisory, issued Monday, follows recent updates to travel advisories for several regional nations recommending against travel, and comes as the U.S. Has assisted over 9,000 American citizens in returning home from the Middle East in the past several days, including over 300 from Israel.

The State Department’s warning applies to Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Mora Namdar, assistant secretary for consular affairs, stated via X, formerly known as Twitter, that citizens should “DEPART NOW” utilizing available commercial transportation.

The U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, announced the departure of its personnel earlier Monday “due to a threat,” according to Al Jazeera. This move underscores the heightened level of concern within U.S. Diplomatic missions in the region.

The State Department’s action follows a Worldwide Caution issued on March 22, 2026, advising Americans globally to exercise increased caution. The alert noted potential disruptions due to periodic airspace closures and highlighted that U.S. Diplomatic facilities have been targeted, with groups supportive of Iran potentially targeting U.S. Interests and locations associated with the United States and Americans worldwide.

The Department of State is encouraging U.S. Citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and updates. It is also advising citizens to follow the “U.S. Department of State – Security Updates for U.S. Citizens” channel on WhatsApp and the @TravelGov account on X for the latest information. The full Travel Advisory and destination-specific alerts are available on the State Department’s website.

The unusual nature of the State Department’s communication, utilizing a social media post from an assistant secretary, was noted by Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane, who reported from Washington, D.C. That this approach deviates from standard protocol.