The United States has directed non-emergency government staff to leave various Middle Eastern countries and Pakistan due to escalating tensions following recent conflicts with Iran. Travel advisories for Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, and Oman have been elevated to Level 3 — Reconsider Travel, while Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Pakistan maintain the same level due to heightened security concerns.
The US State Department cited the risk of missile and drone attacks and disruptions to commercial flights in the region since the conflict with Iran began on February 28. Non-essential US government employees and their families are being evacuated from multiple countries for security reasons and safety precautions.
Amid concerns of armed conflict and terrorism, the advisory level for the UAE was raised to Level 3, with warnings of potential attacks on US-associated locations by the Iranian regime. Travel advisories were also increased to Level 3 for Jordan and Oman, highlighting terrorism and armed conflict risks as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
For Saudi Arabia, the updated advisory emphasized threats of armed conflict, terrorism, and strict enforcement of local laws, including regulations on social media activities. The warnings also mentioned past drone and missile attacks from Yemen targeting cities, airports, and energy infrastructure, with alerts on potential exit bans and strict law enforcement for Americans.
