The U.S. State Department has urged U.S. citizens traveling or planning to travel to the Middle East and North Africa to exercise increased caution due to rising regional tensions.
“Due to rising tensions in the region, the Department of State urges U.S. citizens in the Middle East and North Africa to exercise heightened caution,” the State Department said in an official message on Platform X.
In parallel with the official warning, a serious escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran is unfolding in the region. According to The Times, Israel is considering a strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities after the actual breakdown of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. American officials have already received warnings of such Israeli intentions.
Against this background, the United States has begun evacuating non-critical personnel and families of diplomats from embassies in a number of Middle Eastern countries, including Iraq, Bahrain and Kuwait. In addition, US military facilities in the region have been put on high alert due to possible Iranian retaliatory strikes.
Iran, for its part, declares its readiness for a decisive response in the event of an attack, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that US bases in the region are within reach.
In addition to military and political tensions, the situation is also affecting financial markets: oil and gold prices are rising due to fears of possible supply disruptions and economic instability.
The IAEA, in turn, reports that Iran’s uranium enrichment level has risen to 60% and that it is preparing to launch a new enrichment facility, which is close to the level required to produce nuclear weapons.
In such circumstances, the State Department urges U.S. citizens to register for the STEP program, follow updates, avoid mass gatherings, and have an emergency plan.