The Department of State issued a notice Sunday to all U.S. citizens traveling abroad, advising “increased caution,” particularly in the Middle East.
WASHINGTON โ U.S. citizens are advised to exercise increased caution if traveling anywhere outside the U.S., federal officials warned over the weekend, because of increasingly tense geopolitical situations in various locations around the globe.
The State Department issued the warning on Sunday.ย
Travelers worldwide are urged to monitor and follow security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, the notice stated, cautioning about “periodic airspace closures” that could cause travel disruptions.
The advisory urges travelers take extra precautions in Middle East but notes that U.S. diplomatic facilities have been targeted worldwide.
“Groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world,” the advisory states. ย
The State Department encouraged U.S. citizens traveling abroad to enroll with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at step.state.gov to get the latest security alerts and to follow updates shared on the “U.S. Department of State – Security Updates for U.S. Citizens” channel on WhatsApp or @TravelGov on X, formerly known as Twitter.ย
Consular information for U.S. citizens in the Middle East is updated regularly on the U.S. State Department website, and anyone in need of assistance is urged to contact the 24/7 Task Force by calling 1-202-501-4444 from abroad or 1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada.
Geopolitical tensions have been escalating in the past month following the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran on Feb. 28. Several U.S. embassies have been attacked or are being actively investigated at various locations within and outside the Middle East, including Norway and Canada.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered all U.S. embassies to conduct an immediate review of their security last week. The State Department also began calling for Americans to leave the Middle East after recent Iranian attacks on allies like Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
