The US State Department has called on Americans to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as US-Israeli strikes against Iran intensify.
The advisory, issued Monday, follows recent updates warning against travel to several nations in the region. It now covers Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen.
Mora Namdar, assistant secretary for consular affairs, posted on X urging US citizens to “DEPART NOW” using available commercial flights, citing serious safety concerns. Earlier that day, the US Embassy in Amman confirmed its staff had evacuated due to a security threat.
Al Jazeera’s Patty Culhane noted the unusual nature of the announcement, pointing out that such warnings are typically issued through formal State Department channels rather than social media. She described the move as “bizarre,” adding that it remains unclear whether this represents official policy.
The @SecRubio @StateDept urges Americans to DEPART NOW from the countries below using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks. Americans who need State Department assistance arranging to depart via commercial means, CALL US 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444 (from… pic.twitter.com/vdplAik2Sq
— Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar (@AsstSecStateCA) March 2, 2026
Culhane also questioned the practicality of the directive, given disruptions to commercial air traffic caused by missile attacks.
The advisory comes after US and Israeli forces launched heavy strikes on Iran Saturday, killing senior officials including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated with attacks across the region. President Donald Trump said Monday the conflict was expected to last four to five weeks, though it could extend longer.
