The US State Department has issued a "worldwide caution" for Americans traveling abroad, warning they may be targeted by "groups supportive of Iran." The alert comes amid ongoing tension in the Middle East, with the US and Iran continuing to exchange fire despite signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) last month. That memorandum has now been scrapped.
Recent Attacks and US Response
On Saturday, an Iranian missile and drone strike in Jordan killed two American service members and left another missing. Iran has also claimed attacks on US military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain in the last 24 hours, while the US Central Command said it launched a "new wave" of strikes for the ninth consecutive night as explosions rang out across the country.
The State Department has now urged Americans worldwide, especially those in the Middle East, to "exercise increased caution" and keep a close eye on security guidance from local US embassies and consulates. It said heightened tensions in the region mean potential for "unforeseen escalation," with flight cancellations and periodic airspace closures possible.
Official Advisory Details
"Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the State Department said in its advisory. "We remind Americans in the region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments. The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution."
The warning adds: "U.S. diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted. Groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world."
Iranian and US Statements
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, said the US had "violated and suspended all its commitments within the framework of the Islamabad MoU" after more than 50 people were killed in strikes on the country this month. On Monday morning, the US said it had targeted military sites and communications networks to "further diminish" Tehran's attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran said it responded by launching a "surprise attack" in Syria and by targeting a US aircraft at Jordan's Aqaba airport. The country's semi-official Tasnim news agency said several cities had been attacked, including Tabriz, Chabahar, Konarak, Bandar Mahshahr and Bandar Imam Khomeini.
Impact on Oil Shipping
Two oil tankers had also reportedly exploded as the vessels attempted to cross the strait. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said the tankers were travelling through an "unsafe and hazardous southern route" of the strait and "exploded and were brought to a halt." CENTCOM has disputed these claims. The IRGC warned that as long as US strikes continue, the strait "will not be safe for the transit of petrochemical products, nor even a single drop of oil and gas." It added that it would respond with a "punitive operation."
