A number of Middle Eastern countries are under Level 4 or Level 3 advisories.
The U.S. Department of State has maintained travel advisories for more than a dozen Middle East countries as the war with Iran continues, while it recently renewed an advisory for Americans still residing in the country.
The U.S. Virtual Embassy for Iran, in a statement on March 26, said it is still advising American citizens remaining in the country to either depart or shelter in place.
“We are monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely and will keep you updated so you can make decisions about your safety,” the Embassy said, adding that “commercial flights are currently not operating out of Iran.”
It added: “If you do not depart Iran, we recommend all Americans in Iran shelter in place until further notice. To the extent possible, remain in your residence, hotel, or another structure, and stay away from windows.”
Level 4 Advisories
The State Department has continued to update its Level 4, or “Do Not Travel,” advisories urging Americans not to travel to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Yemen, and Lebanon due to terrorism, kidnappings, wrongful detentions, war, and natural disasters, among other reasons.
Other countries outside of the Middle East or Central Asia with the highest security advisory include Haiti, Libya, Russia, Somalia, Ukraine, Burma, North Korea, Sudan, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Belarus. Those countries are on the list for various reasons including crime, arbitrary detentions, terrorism, armed conflict, and kidnappings.
Notably, several individual states in Mexico are under a Level 4 warning from the State Department due to crime, violence, kidnappings, and other reasons, although Mexico overall is under a Level 2 advisory.
Middle Eastern Countries Under Level 3 Warnings
Multiple Middle Eastern nations such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Israel, and Jordan are under Level 3 advisories advising Americans to reconsider travel.
Worldwide Advisory Renewed
The State Department on March 22 also re-issued a worldwide caution alert for U.S. citizens in response to the war with Iran. It also elevated the risk levels of multiple Middle Eastern countries due to the conflict.
“Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate,” the agency said, noting U.S. nationals in the region should pay attention to developments because American diplomatic buildings have been targeted. “Periodic airspace closures may cause travel disruptions,” it added.
Entities that support the Iranian regime may attack “other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States” or U.S. citizens worldwide, the advisory said.
Trump Says Talks Ongoing
The renewed advisories come as President Donald Trump said on Monday that talks are still ongoing with Iran to end military operations, but he said that if a deal isn’t reached soon to end the conflict, the U.S. would target oil wells, power plants, and other Iranian infrastructure.
“Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately ‘Open for Business,’ we will conclude our lovely ’stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.
Some Iranian officials have issued statements denying being in direct talks with the United States.
