US nationals urged to leave Middle East as conflict spreads

The US State Department says Americans should "depart now via commercial means" as strikes continue.

Amid the escalating Iran war, tens of thousands of travelers, including tourists, religious pilgrims, and diplomats' families, are stranded across the Middle East due to widespread flight cancellations and closed airspace. The U.S. State Department has urgently advised its citizens to leave several Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel, and has begun evacuating non-essential personnel from six nations, including the UAE, which has recently been affected by the conflict.

The escalating conflict between Iran, the U.S., and Israel has significantly disrupted global air travel, particularly across the Middle East. The U.S. State Department has issued a worldwide caution for American citizens, urging them to 'DEPART NOW' from 14 countries and two Palestinian territories due to severe safety threats. Major travel hubs—including airports in Qatar, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi—have shut down following Iranian retaliatory strikes on U.S. allies, with casualties reported in some areas. Consequently, thousands of flights have been canceled and several international airlines have suspended operations to and from the Middle East. The State Department continues to advise Americans worldwide to remain vigilant amid heightened security concerns.

The escalating war in the Middle East has had severe repercussions throughout the region, affecting nearly every country with missile strikes, drone attacks, casualties, and major disruptions to airspace and infrastructure.