Citing “serious security risks,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday morning urged US citizens to immediately leave Middle Eastern nations, including Iran, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Gaza, the West Bank and the United Arab Emirates, by commercial means.
Speaking to (from abroad) and +1-888-407-4747 (from the US and Canada). SIGN UP at http://step.state.gov to get the latest security updates from the nearest US embassy or consulate.”
The announcement comes as The Middle East faces a period of increased regional volatility and the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defense confirmed the interception of a “third wave” of Iranian missile attacks against civil and military infrastructure. This dangerous escalation follows a direct military confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States, with Tehran launching widespread airstrikes in response to ongoing regional hostilities.
He @SecRubio @State Department Urges Americans to LEAVE the following countries NOW using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks. Americans who need assistance from the Department of State in arranging their departure by commercial means, CALL US 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at +1-202-501-4444 (from… pic.twitter.com/vdplAik2Sq
— Undersecretary Mora Namdar (@AsstSecStateCA) March 2, 2026
The countries included in the advisory are Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel (including the West Bank and Gaza), Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
The US State Department also issued helpline numbers for US citizens to assist them in arranging commercial means to exit these countries in the Middle East.
It also urged them to enroll in its ‘Smart Traveler Enrollment Program’ (STEP) to receive updates on the security situation of their respective US embassy or consulate. The program is a free service that allows US citizens and their nationals to register their international travel, so that the State Department “can contact them accurately and quickly in the event of an emergency,” according to the official website.
Later, sharing a video about X, Rubio stated that the security of Americans around the world was the “number one priority” of the US State Department. “…With Operation Epic Fury and the cowardly attacks we are seeing from Iran against the Gulf countries, I wanted to take this opportunity to speak directly to Americans who are in the Middle East about the work we are doing to try to keep them safe,” he said.
“So, immediately following the beginning of this operation, under my direction, the State Department activated a 24/7 task force, increasing the personnel and resources needed to help provide American citizens with up-to-date safety and security information,” he said.
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He also encouraged Americans abroad to follow US security updates for the US Citizens channel on WhatsApp, as well as follow @TravelGov on social media platforms.
To all American citizens in the Middle East: your safety is our number one priority.
Sign up for STEP alerts at https://t.co/SpQfuj4gN2.
Get information on @TravelGov and you can call the department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at +1-202-501-4444. pic.twitter.com/G8grZVgmCF
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) March 2, 2026
As Rubio announced, U.S. citizens can also receive the latest alerts at travel.state.gov. They can also contact the Department of State 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444.
“To receive these updates from the nearest US embassy or consulate, you must register
Early Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates said it was working to intercept a major missile attack launched by Iran.
As Israel and the United States attack Iran in a campaign that U.S. President Donald Trump said would likely take several weeks, Tehran and its allies have fired back at Israel and the Gulf states, targeting sites critical to global energy production.
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The intensity of the attacks, the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the lack of an apparent exit plan have set the stage for a protracted conflict with far-reaching consequences.
