State Department Issues Urgent ‘Depart Now’ Order for Americans Across Middle East: The U.S. Department of State has issued an urgent “DEPART NOW” advisory for American citizens across 14 countries and territories in the Middle East, citing rapidly deteriorating security conditions amid escalating military tensions linked to “Operation Epic Fury.”
The directive follows a joint U.S.–Israeli military operation targeting Iranian infrastructure, significantly raising regional instability. Officials warned that the situation is evolving unpredictably and that commercial travel options may become unavailable without notice.
A statement released via the The White House underscored “serious safety risks” across multiple jurisdictions and urged immediate departure wherever possible.
Complete List of Affected Countries and Territories
The “DEPART NOW” advisory applies to U.S. citizens currently in the following locations:
- Bahrain
- Egypt
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel (including the West Bank and Gaza)
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Syria
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Yemen
Officials emphasized that Americans should use available commercial transportation immediately before further airspace closures occur.
Airspace Disruptions and Embassy Closures
Multiple regional airspaces — including those over the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Iran, Israel, and Iraq — have experienced intermittent closures and flight suspensions.
The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem has suspended routine and emergency consular services due to heightened threats. Similarly, the U.S. Mission to Saudi Arabia has cancelled appointments and limited operations following reported security incidents.
Commercial aviation disruptions have intensified, with several carriers suspending routes to major hubs such as Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, Tel Aviv, and Baghdad.
Emergency Measures and Citizen Guidance
The State Department has issued the following urgent instructions:
1. Immediate Departure:
Leave affected countries using commercial flights or other available transport while options remain open.
2. STEP Registration:
All U.S. citizens in the region must enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive real-time security alerts and updates.
3. Emergency Assistance:
Citizens needing support may contact:
- +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad)
- +1-888-407-4747 (from within the U.S. or Canada)
4. Shelter-in-Place Guidance:
Individuals unable to depart — particularly in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, the UAE, and Qatar — are advised to shelter in secure locations and monitor official updates.
