The US State Department has advised American citizens in the Middle East to evacuate as President Donald Trump’s deadline for potential military strikes on Iranian infrastructure approaches.
The warning follows Trump’s threat to launch a significant bombing campaign after 8pm EDT on Tuesday if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz or agree to a new deal.
Underscoring the severity of the threat, the president remarked that “a whole civilisation will die tonight” unless “something revolutionarily wonderful” occurs, reports The Hill.
In response to the escalating situation, travel advisories for Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have been raised to Level 3, with citizens urged to reconsider travel due to serious security risks.
The US Embassy in Cairo stated that the safety of Americans is the administration’s highest priority, following a region-wide precautionary message first issued on March 2.
Specific directives have been issued for Bahrain, where US government employees and private citizens have been ordered to “shelter in place.”
The State Department advised those in the country to remain in secure structures, stay away from windows, and maintain supplies of food, water, and essential medication. Routine consular services at the US Embassy in Manama have been suspended.
This heightened alert follows the closure of US embassies in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after both facilities were hit by strikes from Tehran.
In Egypt, which remains at Level 2, officials warned that extremists and Iranian-aligned actors have expressed interest in conducting attacks across the region, including on university campuses.
The crisis coincides with the approach of the Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. The State Department has told religious travellers to begin “reconsidering” their participation this year.
From 18 April, entry to Mecca will be restricted to individuals holding a Hajj permit, a Mecca residency ID, or a valid work permit; all other visa holders must depart the city before that date.
These restrictions are expected to stay in place until mid-June, while US embassies and consulates in the region provide only limited emergency services. Individuals are encouraged to monitor their emails for further updates or last-minute changes as the 8 pm deadline nears.
