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U.S. embassies across the Middle East issued a coordinated security alert Saturday urging Americans in the region to "consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation," extending the warning for the first time to Egypt as regional tensions with Iran continued.
Identical or near-identical alerts were posted by U.S. missions in Amman, Jerusalem, Baghdad and Erbil, as well as embassies in the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.
"Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the alerts said.
"Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions. Some airlines in the region have postponed resumption of earlier flight schedules; others have cancelled some routes. Americans in the region should consider departing or be prepared to depart should there be escalation," the alerts noted.
The alerts also urged Americans outside the region to "seriously reconsider travel to and through the region," and advised those traveling to or from the Middle East to monitor airport and airline operations.
The embassies said they remain open for routine American citizen and visa services.
The alerts warned that U.S. diplomatic facilities, including those outside the Middle East, have been targeted and that "Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including U.S. businesses and other institutions."
"The situation in the Middle East remains fluid. The Iranian regime is unpredictable, as seen by its recent decisions to attack areas in the region without warning or provocations as well as to expand attacks to areas not previously targeted (such as Egypt). Americans should remain vigilant, as merely because U.S. interests or businesses have not been attacked in a country in the past does not ensure their safety," the messages said.
The U.S. Embassy in Amman specifically advised Americans to avoid travel to military bases in Jordan, "which have recently come under Iranian missile attack," and reminded citizens that Iran has also struck civilian and critical infrastructure across the region, including hotels and airports.
It urged Americans to monitor Jordanian government guidance and follow instructions, including sirens and other warnings.
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and Consulate General in Erbil issued an expanded version of the alert, advising Americans in Iraq to maintain heightened readiness, monitor local media, and comply with instructions from Iraqi authorities, warning that travel disruptions and airspace closures could occur on short notice.
It advised that in the event of an attack, Americans should seek shelter in a safe location and avoid approaching debris or falling objects.
The embassy noted that its mission in Iraq continues operating despite an ongoing ordered departure of nonessential personnel and provided contact emails for Americans needing assistance.
It encouraged enrollment in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for direct security updates.
In Israel, Americans were urged to identify the location of the nearest bomb shelter.
The alerts' reference to Iran expanding attacks to "areas not previously targeted (such as Egypt)" follows a drone strike Wednesday on a U.S.-owned gas vessel moored at an Egyptian port, which caused a fire.
Egypt has said it is investigating but has not yet accused any group of carrying out the attack.
The Middle East war began Feb. 28 when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran, which has retaliated with missile and drone strikes across the region.
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