US embassies across Middle East tell Americans to prepare to leave as Iran conflict widens to Egypt

Coordinated embassy alerts

Five US embassies across the Middle East issued near-identical security alerts on Saturday, 1 August, advising American citizens to consider leaving the region or to be ready to do so if the conflict escalates. The missions in Amman (Jordan), Jerusalem (Israel), Muscat (Oman), Baghdad (Iraq) and Beirut (Lebanon) all published the warning on their websites or social media accounts.

"Os americanos na região devem considerar partir ou estar preparados para partir caso haja uma escalada," the alerts stated, according to the US Embassy in Baghdad's post on X. Americans currently in the Middle East were told to exercise heightened caution and vigilance, and to prepare for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and possible travel disruptions.

O regime iraniano é imprevisível, como demonstram suas recentes decisões de atacar áreas da região sem aviso prévio nem provocações, bem como de ampliar os ataques para áreas que anteriormente não eram alvos, como o Egito.

The Egypt strike

On Wednesday, 30 July, a drone attack struck a Greek gas transport ship and an American floating gas depot moored at an Egyptian port, causing a fire. Iran has not claimed responsibility for the strike, which is the first to hit Egyptian territory since the conflict began. Cairo is investigating the incident.

The embassy in Jerusalem cited the Egypt attack directly in its alert, noting that Iranian actions had expanded to areas not previously targeted. Americans in Jordan were specifically told to avoid US military bases in the country, which have recently been targeted by Iranian missiles. In Israel, citizens were advised to locate the nearest bomb shelter.

Military posture and threats

Tensions have been further fuelled by reports that the United States and Israel are planning strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. The website Axios cited an Iranian security official telling the Tasnim agency that American attacks would be "um ato de loucura" and that Iran had prepared a broad response plan including strikes on critical infrastructure of the "regime zionista" and American energy infrastructure in the region.

A separate Iranian commander warned neighbouring countries to reconsider their cooperation with Washington. "Qualquer país que se torne o escudo defensivo dos Estados Unidos, um país criminoso e agressor, arderá no fogo da guerra," the commander said, as reported by Expresso.

Preparámos um plano de resposta alargado que inclui ataques contra a infraestrutura crítica do regime zionista e infraestrutura energética americana na região, e estamos totalmente preparados para o concretizar.

US force constraints

CBS News reported that the American-Israeli plans would constitute one of the heaviest bombing operations against Iran, with attacks possibly beginning as soon as this weekend. However, there are signs that US forces may face challenges in a further escalation. General Alexus Grynkewich, head of US European Command, warned the Pentagon this week that he does not have sufficient naval forces to protect both the United States and Israel simultaneously, according to The Washington Post.

The general indicated that without another Navy destroyer, he would be forced to prioritise the defence of the United States. Separately, NBC News reported on Friday that Russia is providing electronic intelligence to Iran, which may be helping to locate US forces in the region.

Broader conflict context

The war in the Middle East began on 28 February with joint US and Israeli strikes against Iran, which retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region. In recent weeks, Iran has struck US military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan in response to American operations on Iranian territory. Kuwait has said it intercepted Iranian drone attacks, though Tehran has neither announced nor confirmed those strikes.

The conflict has also seen a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The US Embassy in Beirut noted that its mission remains under "ordered departure" status, meaning non-emergency American government personnel continue to operate from outside Lebanon. No attacks were reported between Friday and Saturday.