The U.S. State Department issued a Worldwide Caution on Saturday, warning Americans traveling or living abroad to exercise increased vigilance as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate following renewed military exchanges involving Iran.
In the advisory, the department said the evolving security environment could lead to further instability and pose risks to U.S. citizens, diplomatic facilities and American interests overseas.
“Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation,” the State Department said. “The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution.”
The department warned that flight cancellations and periodic airspace closures could disrupt international travel and noted that U.S. diplomatic facilities, including some outside the Middle East, have previously been targeted during periods of heightened regional tensions.
The advisory also cautioned that groups supportive of Iran could target U.S. interests or locations associated with Americans in other parts of the world.
Americans traveling internationally were urged to review country-specific travel advisories and security alerts before departing and to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, to receive updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
The worldwide advisory follows a significant escalation in the conflict after Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted a U.S. military installation in Azraq, Jordan, late Friday.
According to U.S. Central Command, two American service members were killed in the attack, one additional service member remains missing and four others were treated at a hospital before being released. Additional personnel received treatment for minor injuries at the scene.
The attack marked the first reported U.S. military fatalities since hostilities intensified earlier this year.
In response, U.S. forces carried out another round of military operations against targets in Iran overnight Friday into Saturday.
CENTCOM said the operation involved fighter aircraft, naval vessels, drones and other military assets.
According to the military, the strikes targeted surveillance facilities, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage sites and maritime capabilities in southern Iran, including areas near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran has also launched additional retaliatory attacks against U.S. and allied positions in the region, while Iranian state media reported damage to infrastructure inside the country following the latest American strikes, per Trending Politics.
President Donald Trump and Iranian officials have both indicated that a previously negotiated memorandum of understanding between the two countries is no longer in effect following the renewed hostilities.
U.S. military officials have warned that operations could continue as the conflict develops, with CENTCOM stating it remains prepared to conduct additional missions aimed at protecting American forces, regional partners and international shipping routes.
The State Department said the Worldwide Caution will remain in effect until further notice and advised Americans abroad to closely monitor official government communications, follow instructions from local U.S. diplomatic missions and avoid unnecessary travel to areas experiencing heightened security risks.
