Groups that back Iran ‘may target other U.S. interests overseas’ or Americans around the world, the alert states.
The U.S. Department of State on March 22 again advised American citizens around the world to “exercise increased caution,” renewing a worldwide caution alert that was issued by the agency in late February amid concerns about the Iran war.
“Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate,” the State Department said in an advisory, also noting that citizens in the Middle East should pay particular attention because U.S. diplomatic buildings have been targeted “even outside the Middle East.”
“Periodic airspace closures may cause travel disruptions.”
Groups that back the Iranian regime “may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States” or Americans around the world, it said.
The bulletin does not provide any specific details about potential threats posed by groups that support Iran, although an Iranian general last week warned that Iran may attack what it considers enemies of the country in public places such as parks and tourist sites around the world.
“From now on, based on the information we have about you, even parks, recreational areas and tourist destinations anywhere in the world will no longer be safe for you,” Iranian Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi said in a statement published online by Iranian state television.
The March 22 State Department advisory also advises U.S. citizens to visit the department website to get security alerts and to follow its accounts on social media. Americans should also read any relevant travel advisories about their destination before going there, it states.
Aside from the worldwide caution alert, the State Department earlier in March raised advisory levels for multiple countries in the Middle East and advised Americans to leave most countries in the region because of the conflict. Iran has fired missiles and explosive drones at targets across the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and others.
Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump and Iran traded threats as Trump warned that the U.S. military will strike civilian electrical infrastructure if Tehran does not allow the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
