US embassies urge Americans to leave Middle East after Trump threatens Iran
Security alerts issued on August 1 cover 10 countries, citing Iran's unpredictability and a drone attack on a US ship in Egypt.
US embassies in at least 10 Middle Eastern countries issued coordinated security alerts on August 1, 2026, telling American citizens to consider leaving the region or be prepared to do so in case of escalation. The warnings came one day after President Donald Trump threatened to strike Iran 'very hard' and amid a resumption of hostilities that had briefly subsided.
Embassy warnings
The alerts, posted by diplomatic missions in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, advised Americans to check flight details, follow local security instructions and prepare for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and travel disruptions. In Jordan, citizens were told to avoid US military bases that had recently been targeted by Iranian missiles. In Israel, they were urged to locate the nearest air-raid shelter.
The Iranian regime is unpredictable, as demonstrated by its recent decisions to attack areas in the region without warning or provocation, as well as to extend its attacks to areas not previously targeted (such as Egypt).
Drone attack in Egypt
On Wednesday, July 29, a drone struck a gas carrier belonging to an American company while it was docked in an Egyptian port, causing a fire. Egypt has opened an investigation but has not yet accused any group of carrying out the attack. The incident was cited by the US Embassy in Jerusalem as evidence of Iran's expanding reach.
Iranian response
Iran's military accused Washington of fueling tensions and issued a fresh warning to any country that might assist the United States.
Any country that serves as a defensive shield for criminal and aggressive America will be engulfed by the flames of war.
Background of the conflict
The war began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Iran. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes across the region. After a fragile truce and a few days of relative calm, nighttime exchanges of fire resumed earlier this week. No attacks were reported from Friday to Saturday, though the situation remains tense.
- War begins with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran; Iran retaliates with missile and drone attacks.
- A drone strikes a US-owned gas carrier docked in an Egyptian port, causing a fire.
- President Donald Trump threatens to hit Iran 'very hard'.
- US embassies across the Middle East issue security alerts urging Americans to consider leaving the region.
Trump's threat to hit Iran 'very hard', delivered on July 31, added to the sense of urgency. The embassy alerts, while not a mandatory evacuation order, represent the most sweeping US travel advisory in the region since the conflict began.
