U.S. Issues Urgent Travel Advisory for 13 Countries Telling Americans to Depart Immediately—What to Know

The United States Department of State warned Americans in the Middle East and Gulf countries to leave following the outbreak of war in Iran, which has spilled over into the surrounding region.

Americans in those countries were encouraged to “depart now” via “available commercial transportation,” according to Mora Namdar, the State Department’s assistant secretary for consular affairs. Affected countries and territories included Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.

The U.S. also increased its travel advisories for several area countries, classifying Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, and Israel under its Level 3 warning, indicating Americans should “reconsider travel” there.

Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon were all listed under the highest Level 4 advisory, coming with a “do not travel” warning attached.

The travel advisory for Saudi Arabia remained listed at the second-lowest Level 2, which indicates Americans should “exercise increased caution” there. However the State Department warned against travel to several areas of the country, including within 20 miles of Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen.

In addition, the State Department issued a worldwide caution over the weekend, urging Americans to exercise increased caution globally.

“Following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran, Americans worldwide and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate,” the State Department wrote. “They may experience travel disruptions due to periodic airspace closures.”

The State Department recommended all international travelers sign up for its free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which can provide travel alerts for designated countries and help officials locate and contact Americans in an emergency. Following the outbreak of war, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a video address on X the State Department activated a 24/7 task force “surging personnel and resources necessary to help provide American citizens with up-to-the-minute safety and security information,” which travelers can access by signing up for STEP.

“At the Department of State, our No. 1 priority is the safety and the security of American citizens everywhere in the world,” Rubio said.

The warnings come amid a widening war. On Tuesday, the Associated Press reported Iran carried out a drone strike on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, causing part of its roof to collapse; explosions continued to pound Iran’s capital of Tehran; and Iranian-supported Hezbollah in Lebanon traded strikes with Israel, among other escalations.