The U.S. Department of State has issued an emergency warning for its citizens currently located in the Middle East, urging them to depart the region via commercial flights while they remain available.
Security conditions have sharply escalated, prompting American authorities to update their protection protocols. The high-risk list includes 15 specific territories categorized by their level of volatility.
The primary flashpoints identified are Israel, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and Lebanon. Major regional hubs including the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait are also listed. Additionally, the warning covers known dangerous zones such as Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Yemen, as well as neighboring countries including Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, and Oman.
For those unable to organize their own departure, a 24-hour emergency hotline has been established. Citizens abroad can reach assistance at +1-202-501-4444, while those calling from within the U.S. or Canada can use +1-888-407-4747.
Diplomats emphasized that citizens should leave the specified states "right now" rather than waiting for further escalation in the conflict.