US embassies urge citizens to consider leaving Middle East

US embassies in several Middle Eastern capitals warned American citizens to consider leaving the region or be ready to leave if the regional conflict escalates.

“Americans in the region should consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation,” said a security alert posted in versions by US missions in Amman, Jerusalem and Baghdad.

The messages urged citizens to check flight details and follow safety advice from local authorities. They warned Americans to exercise caution and heightened vigilance and to be ready for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and other travel disruptions.

Americans in Jordan were told not to visit US military bases there, which the alert said had recently come under Iranian missile attack. Americans in Israel were urged to find the location of the nearest bomb shelter.

A post on the US Embassy Jerusalem site said the Iranian government was unpredictable and cited attacks in the region. Iran's military accused Washington of escalating tensions and warned that countries serving as a defensive shield for the United States would be “engulfed by the flames of war”.

On Wednesday, a drone struck a US-owned gas vessel moored in an Egyptian port, causing a fire. Egypt is investigating and has not accused any group of launching the attack.

Iran and the United States resumed overnight exchanges of fire this week after a days-long lull, though there were no reported strikes overnight Friday to Saturday.