US Travel Advisory Depart Now As Middle East Tensions Rise Following Iranian Strikes

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told US citizens to "depart now" from parts of the Middle East. The warning followed Iranian strikes on targets in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, and other Gulf cities. The attacks came after joint Israel-US military action. Rubio cited "serious safety risks" as tensions rose and strikes continued.

Rubio said the State Department put citizen protection first. Rubio urged those still in affected areas to leave while commercial flights were still running. Rubio said the advice covered 14 countries across the region. Rubio also noted Egypt in a broader advisory as the security situation shifted quickly.

The alert covered Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Rubio said Americans in these places should "depart now" and use commercial routes while available. Rubio also criticised Iranian attacks on other Gulf states.

Region	Countries where Americans are urged to depart now
Gulf and neighbours	Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen
Levant	Israel, West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria
Others	Iran, Iraq, Egypt mentioned in wider advisory

In a video posted on X, Rubio asked travellers and residents to register for official updates. Rubio said extra staff and resources were added from Saturday, when the military campaign began. Rubio said the goal was faster security guidance and support. "To all American citizens in the Middle East: your safety and security is our number one priority. Sign up to receive STEP alerts at http://step.state.gov. Get information at @TravelGov and you can call the department 24/7 at [phone]," Rubio posted on X while sharing a video message.

Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar shared contact details for people needing help to book flights. Namdar said support was available at any hour, including through nearby embassies using digital registration tools. "Americans who need State Department assistance arranging to depart via commercial means, CALL US 24/7 at [phone] (from abroad) and [phone] (from the US and Canada)," Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar posted on X.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, or STEP, is a free State Department service. It lets US citizens and nationals record overseas trips. Embassies and consulates can then send safety alerts faster. STEP can also help officials contact people during emergencies. It may support citizens when local security worsens suddenly.

Military campaign context behind "depart now" warning

US President Donald Trump said the bombing campaign that began Saturday would continue. The US-Israel alliance hit hundreds of locations inside Iran. Rubio spoke on Monday before briefing senior members of Congress. Rubio said the military focus was Iran’s ballistic missile systems, not a ground invasion.

Rubio said the aim was to remove Iran’s ability to use missiles and drones. Rubio said air and other strikes could meet that aim without ground forces. Rubio also said pressure would continue beyond the current phase. "The hardest hits are yet to come from the U.S. military. The next phase will be even more punishing on Iran than it is right now. The world will be a safer place when we're done with this operation," Rubio said on Monday.

"The bottom line is, no matter who governs that country a year from now, they're not going to have these ballistic missiles, and they're not going to have these drones to threaten us. That's the objective of this mission," he said. Rubio’s guidance asked Americans in 14 countries to leave quickly if possible. The State Department pointed to STEP and helplines for updates and support while flights remain available.