US embassies urge Americans to consider leaving Middle East as Trump threatens 'very hard' strikes on Iran

Embassy alerts across the region

On Saturday, August 1, US embassies in at least nine Middle Eastern capitals issued coordinated security alerts urging American citizens to consider leaving the region. The warnings, posted on social media by missions in Amman, Jerusalem, Baghdad, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Kuwait, Riyadh, Doha and Beirut, cited a risk of "escalation" in the regional conflict.

“Americans in the region should consider leaving, or be ready to leave in case of escalation.”

The alerts advised Americans to check flight information, follow local security instructions, and prepare for "possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions." In Jordan, citizens were told to avoid US military bases recently targeted by Iranian missiles; in Israel, they were instructed to locate the nearest air-raid shelter. The US Embassy in Jerusalem separately described Iran's behavior as unpredictable, pointing to recent attacks on previously untouched areas.

A conflict that began in February

The war was triggered on February 28 by joint US and Israeli strikes against Iran. Tehran retaliated with missile and drone attacks across the region, and the two sides have exchanged fire intermittently since. This week, after several days of calm, nighttime exchanges resumed, though no strikes were reported from Friday night into Saturday. The lull and resumption reflect the volatile rhythm of the conflict.

Drone strike expands the battlefield

On Wednesday, July 29, a drone hit a gas carrier owned by an American company while it was moored in an Egyptian port, causing a fire. Egypt is investigating but has not attributed the attack to any group. The incident marked an extension of hostilities to a country that had not been targeted before, a development the US Embassy in Jerusalem pointed to as evidence of Iran's willingness to widen the war.

“The Iranian regime is unpredictable, as shown by its recent decisions to attack areas of the region without warning or provocation, and to extend its attacks to areas not previously targeted (such as Egypt).”

Trump threatens new strikes

President Donald Trump renewed his threats on Friday, July 31, saying the US would strike Iran "very hard." American media, including CBS citing anonymous sources, reported that Washington is considering massive new bombings this weekend, potentially targeting energy infrastructure. However, CBS noted that Trump had not yet given final approval as of Saturday. The threats came as the two countries had already resumed nighttime exchanges earlier in the week.

Iran's warning to US allies

Iran's military accused Washington of "stoking tensions" and issued a stark warning to any country aiding the United States.

“Any country serving as a defensive shield for criminal and aggressive America will be engulfed by the flames of war.”

The exchange of threats and the embassy alerts leave the region on edge, with no immediate sign of de-escalation. The US has not announced any evacuation order, but the warnings suggest a heightened state of alert as the weekend unfolds.