The United States has asked its citizens to immediately leave more than a dozen countries across the Middle East as tensions between Washington, Israel, and Iran have turned into open conflict.
The warning was issued by the United States Department of State and delivered by Mora Namdar, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs. She urged Americans to “depart now” using available commercial transportation due to serious safety risks.
The advisory follows several days of updated travel warnings and comes at a time when the region has been pushed into war.
Countries Under Advisory
The US government’s warning applies to a wide range of countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Syria and Yemen.
The advisory covers nearly the entire Gulf region and parts of the Levant, reflecting growing fears that the conflict could spread further.
Strikes on Iran Trigger Retaliation
The warning came after the United States and Israel launched a series of strikes on targets inside Iran. According to reports, several top Iranian officials were killed in the attacks, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Tehran responded quickly with strikes on multiple US and Israeli sites across the region. The back-and-forth attacks have left scores dead and raised fears of a prolonged war.
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the conflict was expected to last four to five weeks, though he warned that it could continue longer depending on developments on the ground.
Embassy Evacuation and Emergency Task Force
The US Embassy in Amman, Jordan, announced that its personnel had departed the site due to a specific threat. The move signaled that security concerns are not only theoretical but active.
At the same time, the State Department has activated an inter-agency emergency task force to manage the situation and coordinate Washington’s response. The task force will work across departments to handle security, diplomatic, and economic issues arising from the crisis.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed congressional leaders about the strikes and said the administration had anticipated possible economic fallout.
Oil Prices Rise as Strait of Hormuz Faces Threat
The conflict has also shaken global energy markets. Iranian officials have threatened to target ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow but critical route through which a large share of the world’s oil supply moves.
The threat has already pushed energy prices higher. Analysts warn that any disruption in the Strait could impact fuel costs worldwide and add pressure on inflation.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Energy Secretary Chris Wright are expected to announce steps aimed at reducing the impact of rising energy prices. Officials said measures to stabilize markets will begin rolling out immediately.
Uncertainty Over Departures
While Americans have been told to leave using commercial transportation, flight disruptions and missile activity in parts of the region may make travel difficult. The government has not yet announced a large-scale evacuation program, but officials say the situation is being closely monitored.
For now, Washington’s message is clear and urgent: US citizens in affected countries should leave as soon as possible while commercial options remain available.
As military strikes continue and diplomatic efforts struggle to catch up, the Middle East faces one of its most serious crises in recent years — with consequences reaching far beyond the region.
Mayur is a part time journalist with about 2 years experience. While working in the field of healthcare, Mayur found a passion for finding engaging stories. As a contributor to White Pine Tribune, Mayur mostly covers International Politics and Life Sciences Related Stories
