WASHINGTON: The US State Department on Monday urged American citizens to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries as escalating hostilities push the region into deeper instability following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar posted on X that Americans in several countries — including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel — should “DEPART NOW” using any available commercial transportation.
The advisory marks one of the most sweeping regional evacuation calls in recent years and reflects mounting concerns over retaliatory attacks, missile and drone threats, and the potential for rapid deterioration in security conditions.
The @SecRubio @StateDept urges Americans to DEPART NOW from the countries below using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks. Americans who need State Department assistance arranging to depart via commercial means, CALL US 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444 (from… pic.twitter.com/vdplAik2Sq
— Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar (@AsstSecStateCA) March 2, 2026
The warning comes as major international airlines suspend or reroute flights across the Middle East following the outbreak of hostilities that began when the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran on Saturday.
Since then, the confrontation has expanded into a broader regional conflict, with cross-border attacks, heightened military alerts, and airspace closures affecting multiple countries.
Several governments in the region have issued their own emergency advisories, while airports in key transit hubs face disruptions due to security concerns.
US officials have not specified a deadline for departure but stressed the urgency of the situation, advising Americans to monitor official embassy updates and use commercial options while they remain available.
The State Department’s alert underscores growing fears that the conflict — initially framed as targeted military operations — is evolving into a wider regional crisis affecting civilian mobility, diplomatic missions, and economic activity across the Middle East.
