Multiple U.S. embassies in the Middle East have issued security advisories for Americans traveling and residing in these regions to exercise caution amid the ongoing Iran conflict, according to a Feb. 28 post on X by the Department of State Consular Affairs.
“Following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran, Americans worldwide and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate,” the department said.
“They may experience travel disruptions due to periodic airspace closures. The Department of State advises Americans worldwide to exercise increased caution. Enroll at step.state.gov to receive the latest security alerts and follow the ‘U.S. Department of State—Security Updates for U.S. Citizens’ channel on WhatsApp.”
In a March 1 X post, State Department Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar shared an image detailing travel advisory levels for various regions.
Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon were designated “Level 4: Do Not Travel For Any Reason.” In Iran, there is no U.S. Embassy. Americans in the country were advised by the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Iraq to keep a low profile and limit their movements or shelter in place. U.S. citizens already in Iraq should exercise caution, limit movements, and shelter in place as required. In Lebanon, any American should “depart now via commercial options,” the post said.
Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Pakistan, and Qatar were classified as “Level 3: Reconsider Travel.” For Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, and Qatar, a “shelter in place” recommendation is in effect. For Pakistan, authorities advise Americans to exercise caution and avoid large gatherings. Some places in Pakistan have a Level 4 designation, it said.
Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were designated as “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.” Shelter in place advisory is applicable to Jordan, Oman’s Duqm and 62 miles within Salalah, Saudi Arabia’s Dhahran, and the UAE. For Egypt, the advisory asked U.S. citizens to exercise caution.
The United States has military bases in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
Bahrain
In a March 1 security update, the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain said it was tracking confirmed reports of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the capital city of Manama being struck in attacks on Sunday, resulting in injuries.
“We advise U.S. citizens in Bahrain that hotels might be a target for future attacks, and encourage U.S. citizens to avoid hotels in Manama,” the update stated.
The embassy told Americans in Bahrain to immediately seek cover if there were loud explosions or sirens.
Inside a home or building, people should go to the lowest level of the structure that has the fewest exterior walls, openings, and windows. They should then close any doors and sit close to an interior wall, away from windows and openings.
Americans who are outdoors when an attack happens should seek cover in any hardened structure. If this is not possible, they should lie down and cover their heads with their hands, the embassy said.
Qatar
The U.S. Embassy in Qatar warned in a March 1 advisory that there has been an “ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran and significant disruptions to commercial flights” in the country.
On Sunday, the State Department “authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members of government personnel to leave Qatar due to safety risks.”
Kuwait
In Kuwait, the U.S. Embassy asked all Americans in the nation to shelter in place until further notice, according to a March 1 security alert. The airspace in Kuwait remains closed.
“Please remain vigilant, as the Iranian government and its proxies may seek to target Americans in retaliation for U.S. strikes against Iran,” the embassy said.
UAE
For the UAE, the U.S. Embassy asked U.S. citizens in a March 1 alert to remain in their residence, hotel, or other secure structure, and to stay away from windows.
“UAE airspace remains closed until further notice, and flight operations at international airports have been suspended indefinitely. Questions about flight availability and rebooking should be directed to your airline. If you were in transit when flights were interrupted, you should obtain temporary accommodations and remain there,” the embassy said.
Saudi Arabia, Oman
As for Saudi Arabia, the U.S. Embassy said in a Feb. 28 security alert said the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia has asked its personnel to limit non-essential travel to any military installations in the region. “We recommend American citizens in the Kingdom do the same,” it said.
In a March 1 security alert, the U.S. Embassy in Oman said it has instructed staff to shelter-in-place due to ongoing activity outside of Muscat. The embassy also recommended that all Americans in Oman do the same until further notice.
Jordan
The U.S. Embassy in Jordan said on March 1 that reports suggest drones, missiles, and rockets have entered Jordanian airspace.
“Seek overhead cover and shelter in place immediately. Remain indoors and pay attention to local announcements and alerts,” the embassy said.
Pakistan
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Pakistan warned in a March 1 security alert that they were “monitoring reports of ongoing demonstrations at the U.S. Consulates General in Lahore and violent protests at the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi, as well as calls for additional demonstrations at U.S. Embassy Islamabad and U.S. Consulate General Peshawar. U.S. government personnel have been directed to restrict their movements until further notice.”
Several protesters in Pakistan attempted to storm the U.S. Consulate in Karachi on Sunday, which resulted in security forces shooting and killing at least 22 demonstrators. More than 120 individuals were injured. The protesters were shouting, “Death to Israel, death to America,” during the incident.
In its security alert, the embassy asked U.S. citizens in Pakistan to monitor local news and observe personal security practices, including avoiding large crowds and being aware of their surroundings.
All appointments for U.S. visas and American Citizen Services are canceled for March 2 due to protest activity around the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, and the U.S. Consulates General in Karachi and Lahore.
Flight Disruptions, Military Operations
The U.S. and Israeli militaries launched coordinated strikes to topple the Iranian regime on Saturday, Feb. 28, and succeeded in eliminating Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and other top Iranian officials. Israel said a second wave of strikes against Iran was launched on Sunday.
On March 1, thousands of flights were canceled or delayed across many of the busiest airports in the Middle East.
Critical transport hubs, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, were shut down or faced significant disruptions after Iran attacked its neighboring Gulf nations.
According to a March 1 X post from the U.S. Central Command, the strikes on Iran, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, are aimed at dismantling the Iranian regime’s security apparatus, prioritizing locations that pose an imminent threat.
The United States has deployed a wide range of military assets as part of the operation, including nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, B-2 stealth bombers, F-35 stealth fighters, and guided missile destroyers.
In a March 1 video posted on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said Operation Epic Fury was one of the “largest, most complex, most overwhelming military offensives” the world has ever seen.
“An Iranian regime armed with long-range missiles and nuclear weapons would be a dire threat to every American. We cannot allow a nation that raises terrorist armies to possess such weapons that would allow them to extort the world to their evil will. Not going to let it happen,” Trump said.
“We’re undertaking this massive operation not merely to ensure security for our own time and place. But for our children and their children, just as our ancestors have done for us many, many years ago, this is the duty and the burden of a free people. These actions are right, and they are necessary to ensure that Americans will never have to face a radical, bloodthirsty terrorist regime armed with nuclear weapons and lots of threats.”
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