State Department now urges Americans to leave Middle East countries as war intensifies

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Scripps News

Posted 3:35 PM, Mar 02, 2026 and last updated 6:01 PM, Mar 02, 2026


On Monday the U.S. State Department began urging Americans in Iran and nearby countries to leave due to the threat posed by the intensifying war.

Americans in Iran and in surrounding countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen should seek to leave "using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks," according to a message from a State Department official. That message followed earlier guidance in which Americans in Iran and many of the affected countries were advised to shelter in place:

If you cannot leave, find a secure location within your residence or another safe building. Have a supply of food, water, medications, and other essential items.
Have a plan for departing Iran that does not rely on U.S. government help.
Avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile, and stay aware of your surroundings.

The State Department is steering Americans toward the STEP program, which registers their trip abroad so they can receive updates from U.S. Embassies and other official department communication.

Read more: https://www.scrippsnews.com/us-news/iran-war/state-department-urges-americans-in-iran-to-shelter-in-place-amid-ongoing-conflict

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Link to tweet

Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar
@AsstSecStateCA
·
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The @SecRubio @StateDept urges Americans to DEPART NOW from the countries below using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks. Americans who need State Department assistance arranging to depart via commercial means, CALL US 24/7 at [phone] (from Show more
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4:49 PM · Mar 2, 2026

I expect there are A LOT of tourists in Egypt right now as this is a "cooler" time of year there.

[snowybirdie]

1. Good idea

Whenever airports open there again! How about sending US planes to rescue them?

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Good luck with the media pounding on that

like they did against Obama. He sadly learned the consequences of the removal of a despot (in his case, Gaddafi) and the aftermath of a "vacuum", bringing about the endless "Bengazi' refrain that pummeled his SOS, the one and only Hillary Clinton.

[róisín_dubh]

3. My partner and I planned

to go to Egypt later this year. That’s off the table, as is an April business trip to Mexico.
I’ll just stay here in my quiet little East Anglia ‘burb for now.

[purr-rat beauty]

4. Oh but don't worry...

...this won't be a quagmire like trump's planned Afghanistan pullout, nope....smooth sailing

[Sarcasm] This will be Great! [/sarcasm]

[Vinca]

5. Kind of late with the warning, aren't they? Are there any flights available now that missiles are flying?

[Lovie777]

6. No help from our great government in helping them to leave the ME................

since flights are being delayed because a country decided to attack Iran without a plan?