The US tightened security warnings for its citizens in the Middle East, urging them to be prepared to leave amid tensions with Iran. On Saturday, US missions in Jordan, Iraq and Israel simultaneously issued warnings advising Americans in the region to "consider leaving or be prepared to leave due to the potential for escalation."
The US Embassy in Amman advised its citizens not to travel to military bases and to stay away from demonstrations and crowds. They were also asked to follow the siren warnings of Jordan's National Security and Crisis Management Center.
The Embassy in Baghdad and the Consulate General in Erbil called on their citizens to maintain a high level of preparedness. They warned that flights at the main airports in Baghdad, Erbil, Basra and Sulaymaniyah should be tracked via official platforms, and that the airspace could close periodically or suddenly.
The US Embassy in Tel Aviv also warned American citizens to avoid traveling to the Middle East due to rising regional tensions. The embassy stressed the need to be prepared for flight cancellations and temporary airspace restrictions.
The US missions justified these warnings by citing "the unpredictability of the Iranian regime's behavior." Citizens were asked to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for emergency communication.
Tensions have been rising in the region lately. CBS News claimed that the US and Israel are planning "one of the heaviest bombardments" on Iran's energy infrastructure this weekend. US President Donald Trump had also threatened in July to target Iran's energy facilities and bridges. In response, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for Iran's Armed Forces General Staff, declared that if Iran's infrastructure is targeted, they would strike all infrastructure in the region.
During a 13-day period that lasted until the end of July, the US and Iran exchanged military attacks. While Washington struck targets inside Iran, Tehran targeted American military facilities and equipment in Arab countries such as Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait. Earlier, in June, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding and began negotiations for a final deal. However, the process stalled due to disagreements over the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
