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| Donald Trump |
By Oluchi Omai
The United States has advised its citizens across the Middle East to consider leaving the region or be prepared to depart as fears grow over a possible escalation in the ongoing conflict involving Iran and the US.
The security advisory, issued on Saturday by US embassies in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, comes amid renewed hostilities and heightened security concerns across the region.
The warning followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who on Friday threatened to respond "very hard" to Iran, further fuelling concerns over the fragile security situation.
According to the advisory, Americans living or travelling in the Middle East should remain vigilant and make contingency plans in case the conflict worsens.
The embassies cautioned that further violence could result in flight cancellations, temporary airspace closures and significant travel disruptions. US citizens were encouraged to monitor airline schedules closely and comply with security guidance issued by local authorities.
The advisory also included country-specific guidance. Americans in Jordan were urged to avoid visiting US military installations after recent Iranian missile attacks targeted bases in the country. In Israel, citizens were advised to familiarise themselves with the location of the nearest bomb shelters in case of emergency.
The US Embassy in Jerusalem described the Iranian government as unpredictable, citing what it said were recent attacks carried out without warning and an expansion of strikes into locations previously unaffected, including Egypt.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Beirut confirmed that it remains under an ordered departure status, meaning non-essential US government personnel continue to operate from outside Lebanon.
Iran Responds with Fresh Warnings
Iran's military criticised Washington for increasing tensions in the region, warning that countries providing support to the United States could face military consequences.
Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran's military central command, accused the US of escalating the conflict and warned that any nation acting as a defensive shield for America could be drawn into the war.
Mohammad Mokhber, an adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader, also warned against attacks on Iranian infrastructure. In a post on X, he said any such action would trigger consequences extending beyond conventional military calculations.
Shipping and Energy Markets Under Pressure
The prolonged conflict has continued to disrupt maritime activities around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important oil shipping routes.
A British maritime agency reported that an unidentified projectile struck a tanker off the coast of Oman on Saturday, adding to growing concerns over regional shipping security.
Earlier in the week, a drone attack caused a fire aboard a US-owned gas vessel docked at an Egyptian port. Egyptian authorities have launched an investigation but have yet to identify those responsible.
Shipping intelligence firm Kpler reported a sharp decline in vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz, noting that operators are closely monitoring developments as uncertainty continues to affect commercial shipping and global energy markets.
Fighting Continues Across the Region
The conflict, which erupted after military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, has evolved into months of missile and drone exchanges involving several countries across the Middle East.
On the Lebanese front, Israel's military announced that three Hezbollah fighters were killed during operations in southern Lebanon. It also reported that one Israeli soldier sustained moderate injuries during a close-range confrontation with Hezbollah militants.
As diplomatic efforts remain stalled and military tensions persist, governments and international businesses continue to monitor the situation amid concerns that further escalation could have wider regional and global consequences.
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