US embassies urge citizens to 'consider departing' Mideast countries amid heightened tensions
Cairo, Aug 2
The US embassies in some 10 Middle East countries on Saturday warned American citizens to exercise caution and "consider departing or be prepared to depart should there be escalation."
On their websites, the US embassies in countries including Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia issued similar security alerts, reports Xinhua news agency.
"Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the alerts said, adding that Americans in the region should consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation.
The embassies advised US citizens in the Middle East to exercise caution and heightened vigilance and to be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions.
They also advised US citizens outside the region to "seriously reconsider travel to and through the Middle East."
Earlier on Saturday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Iran has prepared an "extensive" plan to respond to potential attacks on Iranian infrastructure.
Tasnim cited a senior security official as saying that Iran has prepared an "extensive" plan in response to US media's recent claims about possible US and Israeli strikes against its infrastructure. The plan reportedly involves targeting vital Israeli infrastructure and US energy infrastructure in the Middle East.
The developments came amid renewed exchanges of airstrikes between the United States and Iran after days of pause, as well as the emergence of a new Red Sea front involving Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks on US and Israeli bases and assets in the region, while tightening control over the Strait of Hormuz.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The US always tells its citizens to leave, but what about the millions of Indian workers in the Gulf? The Indian government needs to step up its contingency plans for evacuating our diaspora. We can't be caught unprepared like in 1990 Kuwait.
Honestly, the US created this mess with its strikes on Iran. Now they're telling their citizens to run. India should prioritize peace and diplomacy, not get dragged into this conflict. We have too many interests in the region.
Every time there's tension in the Middle East, our NRIs suffer. I have relatives in Dubai and they're on edge. 😟 The government should start chartering planes now, not wait for things to spiral out of control.
It's ironic that the US embassy in India is also going to issue alerts soon if things get worse. But the bigger issue is that Iran's response plan targeting US assets in the Gulf puts Indian infrastructure and shipping lanes at risk. We need a neutral stance.
I'm just wondering why the US thinks they can destabilize a whole region and then casually tell their citizens to leave. India must use its diplomatic channels, maybe even with Russia and China, to pressure for de-escalation. Peace is the only way forward.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.