U.S. diplomatic missions in the United Arab Emirates suspended consular services as the security crisis in the region deepened. The Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate General in Dubai announced they had canceled all appointments scheduled for July 13-15.
In a security alert issued Monday, the embassy asked U.S. citizens with appointments on those dates not to come. It said the 'ordered departure' status, under which non-emergency U.S. government personnel have been moved out of the country, remains in effect. Routine visa services nationwide have been suspended, and only limited emergency consular assistance is being provided to citizens.
The measures came after the United Arab Emirates accused Iran of attacking two Emirati tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. According to the UAE Ministry of Defense, the tankers Mombasa and Al Bahiyah were struck by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the strategic waterway in Omani territorial waters. One Indian crew member was killed in the attack, and eight others were injured, four of them seriously.
The ministry condemned the act, describing it as 'a grave violation of international law and a clear breach threatening regional security and stability.' The development followed confirmation by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) that it had conducted a five-hour air operation targeting missile sites, coastal defense systems, and naval assets in Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that a blockade on Iranian ports would be reimposed starting Tuesday and that a 20 percent fee would be levied on cargo transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the measure would help fund U.S. efforts to secure the vital waterway.
The embassy urged Americans to monitor security developments closely, enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), and follow the instructions of local authorities. It advised staying away from windows and glass during any airstrike.
The clashes in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategic maritime chokepoints, have heightened concerns over global energy supplies and regional stability, prompting diplomatic missions across the Gulf to tighten security measures.
