The United States Department of State has instructed all American personnel in several Middle Eastern countries to shelter in place after joint U.S.-Israel strikes on Iranian targets on Saturday triggered explosions and thick smoke over Tehran.
The advisory covers U.S. citizens in Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan and Israel, among others, with embassy officials urging them to remain indoors until further notice.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem warned that “the Government of Israel has closed the airspace to all civilian flights. All commercial flights from Ben Gurion Airport have been cancelled.”
The embassy stressed that conditions remain unstable, stating that “mortars, rockets, missile fire, and unmanned aircraft system intrusions often occur without warning. The security environment is complex and can change quickly.”
It advised American citizens to “find the nearest bomb shelter or protected space, monitor local media, avoid demonstrations, and follow the instructions of local authorities.”
Officials further cautioned that “in response to security incidents and without advance notice, US government personnel and their family members may be restricted from travelling to certain areas of Israel, including the Old City of Jerusalem and the West Bank.”
In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate released similar guidance, referring to the situation as “regional hostilities” and directing Americans to “shelter-in-place, keep a supply of food, water, and medications, maintain communication with family, and avoid demonstrations or large gatherings.”
Citizens were encouraged to enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrollment Program to receive up-to-date security alerts.
The statement also noted, “We recommend that all Americans take immediate precautions to protect their safety until further notice.”
In Qatar, the U.S. Embassy in Doha confirmed: “We are implementing a shelter-in-place for all personnel. We recommend all Americans do the same until further notice. Avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile, and stay aware of your surroundings.”
Emergency contact lines, including +974-4496-6000, were made available for urgent assistance.
The U.S. Embassy in Bahrain issued a comparable alert, advising Americans to “find a secure location within your residence or another safe building, keep phones charged, and monitor local media for breaking news.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Amman urged those in Jordan: “Contact the Jordanian police by dialling 911 if you are in immediate danger. Keep a supply of essentials and remain in a secure location. Follow local authorities’ instructions at all times.”
The advisories came after a large-scale military operation by the United States and Israel targeting Iranian sites, following President Donald Trump’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.
In a video message from his Florida golf club, Trump said: “The United States’ military began major combat operations in Iran. We are going to destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry to the ground. It will be totally, again, obliterated. We’re going to annihilate their navy.”
He described the strikes as a response to “imminent threats” from Iran and offered the Iranian military “immunity or certain death,” declaring that “the hour of your freedom is at hand.”
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz called the action a “preventive strike.”
Iranian state television reported that President Pezeshkian was “safe and sound,” while the Fars News Agency confirmed seven missile strikes in Tehran’s Keshvardoost and Pasteur districts.
The State Department reiterated that the situation remains fluid, urging Americans to “Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, know the locations of nearest shelters, and be prepared to adjust your plans based on developments. Safety and vigilance are paramount.”
