Foreign

Washington Urges U.S. Citizens to Leave Middle East as Conflict with Iran Intensifies

The U.S. State Department issues an urgent advisory for Americans to depart 14 Middle Eastern countries amid escalating war with Iran, as President Trump warns the conflict could last longer than expected.

By Oyetoke Adedayo Ebenezer

2 min read 30 views Updated Oct 12, 2026
Washington has issued urgent advisories urging U.S. citizens in more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries to depart immediately, as fears mount of a prolonged and widening regional war following the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran. 

The U.S. State Department on Monday directed Americans in 14 Middle Eastern nations — including Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen — to “DEPART NOW” using available commercial transportation due to serious safety risks. 

The warning, issued by Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar, reflects growing concern over escalating violence sparked by joint U.S.–Israeli military action against Iran. The strikes have focused on degrading Iran’s missile capabilities, naval forces and nuclear program, and curbing support for armed proxy groups across the region. 

President Donald Trump acknowledged on Monday that the conflict could last well beyond initial projections, saying the U.S. has “the capability to go far longer” than the roughly four-to-five-week timeframe originally suggested by military planners. 

The conflict has already exacted a heavy toll. Iranian authorities and international humanitarian groups report hundreds killed in Iranian territory, while fights and retaliatory strikes have also caused casualties in Israel, Lebanon and other parts of the region. 

In addition to urging citizens to leave, the U.S. has pulled non-emergency diplomatic staff from several countries, evacuated some embassy families, and warned that continued airspace closures and missile threats are complicating travel and evacuation efforts. 

The evolving situation has disrupted commercial flights, stranded many travelers, and heightened geopolitical tensions across the Middle East — with global markets and oil prices also feeling the impact of uncertainty over access to key transit routes like the Strait of Hormuz. 

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Summary

The U.S. State Department issues an urgent advisory for Americans to depart 14 Middle Eastern countries amid escalating war with Iran, as President Trump warns the conflict could last longer than expected. Washington has issued urgent advisories urging U.S. citizens in more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries to depart immediately, as fears mount of a prolonged and...

Key takeaways
  • State Department issues an urgent advisory for Americans to depart 14 Middle Eastern countries amid escalating war with Iran, as President Trump warns the conflict could last longer than expected.
  • Washington has issued urgent advisories urging U.S.
  • citizens in more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries to depart immediately, as fears mount of a prolonged and widening regional war following the ongoing conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran.
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The U.S. State Department issues an urgent advisory for Americans to depart 14 Middle Eastern countries amid escalating war with Iran, as President Trump warns the conflict could last longer than expected. Washington has issued urgent advisories urging U.S. citizens in more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries to depart immediately, as fears mount of a prolonged and...

Who published this story?

Glow 99.1 FM published this story with Oyetoke Adedayo Ebenezer listed as author.

When was it published?

March 4, 2026

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