US Urges Citizens to Leave Middle East as Iran–Israel Conflict Escalates

The United States Department of State on Monday called on American citizens to immediately depart more than a dozen countries in the Middle East amid escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran.

The advisory cites rising security risks across the region following a series of military strikes and retaliatory attacks.

Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs, Mora Namdar, urged Americans to leave using available commercial transportation. “U.S. citizens should depart using available commercial options due to safety risks,” Namdar said.

The escalation follows coordinated strikes carried out on Saturday by the United States and Israel on targets inside Iran.

Tehran responds with retaliatory attacks targeting U.S. military facilities in Doha, Qatar, and other locations in the region.

The updated travel advisory applies to Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that all U.S. diplomatic personnel affected by recent attacks have been accounted for.

 “All personnel have been accounted for and evacuated,” Rubio said, noting that damage from a reported drone strike near the U.S. Consulate in Dubai was limited to an adjacent parking area.

The U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, also announced the temporary departure of personnel due to what it describes as a security threat.

The State Department has activated an inter-agency emergency task force to coordinate the U.S. response to the crisis.

The confrontation intensifies fears of a broader regional conflict, particularly around strategic oil transit routes.

U.S. President Donald Trump says the conflict could last several weeks.

Rubio added “We anticipated this could be an issue,” referencing economic contingency plans being prepared by U.S. officials.

Oil Prices Surge

Global crude oil prices climb sharply amid supply disruption concerns.

Brent crude rose to $85 per barrel on Monday, marking its highest level since June 2024. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude gains to $75.91 per barrel.

Energy infrastructure in parts of the Gulf region reports operational disruptions. Qatar’s state-owned energy firm halts liquefied natural gas production at some facilities following security threats.

Shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal slows as major container lines suspend transit due to heightened security risks.

Background

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes, handling a significant share of global crude exports.

Any sustained disruption in the Gulf region carries direct implications for global energy markets, inflation and supply chains.

The Middle East has experienced periodic escalations involving Iran, Israel and U.S. forces in recent years, but the current confrontation marks one of the most extensive exchanges in recent times.

The evacuation advisory signals growing concern within Washington over the safety of its citizens and diplomatic personnel in the region.

Rising oil prices are expected to affect global fuel costs and economic stability if tensions persist.

Diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict are ongoing, but the risk of further escalation remains high.