The United States government has issued a fresh security advisory urging American citizens across the Middle East to consider leaving the region or prepare for emergency evacuation as tensions with Iran continue to escalate.
The alert, released on Saturday through U.S. embassies in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, warned that the security situation could deteriorate rapidly due to the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran.
The advisory followed recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that Iran could face severe military consequences amid growing uncertainty over a fragile ceasefire arrangement.
U.S. authorities advised citizens to remain vigilant, closely monitor travel plans and be prepared for sudden disruptions.
“Americans in the region should consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation,” the advisory stated.
The embassies cautioned that commercial flights could be cancelled without notice, airspace restrictions may be imposed and movement across the region could become increasingly difficult if hostilities intensify.
Specific warnings were issued in several countries. In Jordan, Americans were advised to avoid U.S. military facilities that have recently come under missile threats, while citizens in Israel were encouraged to identify nearby bomb shelters and maintain readiness for emergencies.
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem described Iran as unpredictable, noting that Tehran had expanded military activities to areas previously unaffected by the conflict.
“The Iranian regime is unpredictable, as seen by its recent decisions to attack areas in the region without warning and expand attacks to locations not previously targeted,” the embassy said.
In Lebanon, the U.S. Embassy confirmed that it remains under an “ordered departure status,” with non-essential personnel operating outside the country due to worsening security conditions.
The latest advisory comes as hostilities between the United States and Iran, which began earlier this year, continue despite attempts at a ceasefire. Months of missile and drone exchanges have resulted in casualties, displacement of civilians, disruptions to shipping routes and heightened concerns in global energy markets.
Iran, however, accused Washington of escalating the crisis. Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s military central command, warned that countries supporting the United States could become targets.
“Any country serving as a defensive shield for America will be engulfed by the flames of war,” he said in a statement carried by Iranian state media.
Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, also warned against attacks on Iran’s infrastructure, stating that such actions could have far-reaching consequences.
Meanwhile, security concerns have extended beyond direct military exchanges. Earlier this week, a drone struck a U.S.-owned gas vessel at an Egyptian port, causing a fire, while a British maritime security agency reported that an oil tanker off the coast of Oman was hit by an unidentified projectile.
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has also been affected. Maritime intelligence firm Kpler reported a sharp decline in vessel traffic through the strategic waterway as operators continue to assess risks linked to the conflict.
The company noted that shipping firms are closely monitoring developments and diplomatic efforts that could influence security across key regional trade routes.
