The State Department is urging all Americans abroad, and particularly in the Middle East, to “exercise increased caution” and be aware of security updates as regional tensions flare.
The United States and Israel’s airstrikes in Iran late last week have spawned ongoing back-and-forth retaliations, regional unrest, airspace disruptions, and limited commercial flight offerings. As of the morning (Eastern Standard Time) of March 3, U.S. embassies in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) and Kuwait are shut down after being individually attacked, according to NBC News.
On March 2, the State Department’s Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Mora Namdar, took to X with an urgent message for Americans in several Middle Eastern countries. She said, “DEPART NOW from the countries below using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks.” The countries (and areas) listed that Americans should exit are: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, the West Bank and Gaza, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
“Depart now” is an urgent and serious call to action from the State Department. On the organization’s website, on its “Crisis Response and Evacuations” page, it says, “Don’t risk your safety by staying in a dangerous area. If you can safely leave on your own, do so immediately. Do not expect to be evacuated by the U.S. government.”
How Are Americans Abroad Impacted When A Nearby U.S. Embassy Or Consulate Shuts Down?
When embassy and consular services are suspended, Americans in those locations may face serious difficulties navigating their surroundings or traveling outside them. If an American loses their passport, they should immediately go online and report it as lost or stolen to the State Department. Then, they should contact the nearest open U.S. embassy.
What Should U.S. Travelers Do If They’re In Need And In The Middle East?
In a February 28 security alert, the State Department advised Americans abroad to heed the advice of their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, wherever they are. Additionally, the department encouraged Americans to register their trips abroad with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). For free, the latter provides the registrant with timely, important, and informational weather, crisis, health, and safety updates for the person’s destination/location. The information comes from nearby U.S. embassies and consulates.
Americans living abroad (for studies, business, long-term stays, etc.) may also benefit from STEP’s information. Additionally, should you be abroad and caught in an emergency, STEP may be able to help a U.S. embassy or consulate “contact you or your emergency contact.”
According to the State Department, the STEP registration process takes 20 minutes to complete.
Another thing that Americans abroad can do to stay updated is follow the U.S. Department of State – Security Updates for U.S. Citizens” channel on WhatsApp.
If tourists in the Middle East cannot secure a commercial flight out of the region, and local travel is unsafe, the State Department advises preparing “to stay in your current location.” Moreover, those persons should be “prepared to leave when the situation improves.”
A banner currently at the top of the department’s website (as of this report) says, “Americans who need consular assistance can call 24/7 +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) and +1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada).” According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, “immediately following” the beginning of the U.S. operation in Iran, 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.”
