The US Department of State has issued an urgent advisory calling on its citizens to immediately depart several countries and territories across the Middle East due to escalating security risks.
According to Operative Information Center-OMM, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Maura Namdar shared the warning on her official account on the X social media platform. The announcement comes amid a significant deterioration of the security situation in the region following recent military confrontations.
"The Secretary of State urges Americans to depart the following countries immediately via commercial transportation due to serious security risks," the statement noted. The comprehensive list of affected areas includes Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
The escalation follows reports that Israel and the US initiated military strikes against targets in Iran on February 28. In response, Tehran announced that it had carried out retaliatory attacks against Israeli and US military bases, as well as various energy infrastructure sites throughout the region. US President Donald Trump has previously emphasized the administration's commitment to protecting American interests and personnel in the face of regional threats.
The Middle East remains a volatile region characterized by complex geopolitical rivalries and long-standing conflicts. Such travel advisories are typically issued by the US State Department when the safety of citizens is deemed to be at critical risk, often involving the suspension of consular services or the potential for rapid military escalation that could close airspace and maritime routes.
