MIDDLE EAST — The U.S. Department of State issued a Worldwide Caution on July 18 advising Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution due to heightened tensions.
The alert states that the security environment remains complex with potential for unforeseen escalation, that U.S. diplomatic facilities including those outside the Middle East have been targeted, and that groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world.
U.S. Central Command stated that U.S. forces began launching new airstrikes against Iran on July 18 at the direction of the Commander in Chief. The strikes aim to further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and respond to attacks by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces against American service members in Jordan. CENTCOM also stated the seventh consecutive night of strikes on July 17 and continued enforcement of a naval blockade, with multiple commercial vessels redirected or disabled.
Iran remains under a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory. Multiple Gulf countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates remain under Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisories.
U.S. embassies in the region, including the Virtual Embassy Iran and Embassy Kuwait, issued parallel security alerts on July 17 that repeated the caution text and advised Americans to leave Iran, know the location of the nearest shelter, monitor news, and follow local guidance.
Allied governments including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada maintain parallel highest-level advisories against travel to Iran, citing the volatile security situation, risk of further military exchanges, and limited consular support.