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US urges Americans in 15 Middle East countries to 'depart now' amid Iran conflict
For those who need the authorities' help in departing the country via commercial means, the State Department has kept lines open 24/7
- PUBLISHED: Tue 3 Mar 2026, 7:58 AM UPDATED: Tue 3 Mar 2026, 12:06 PM
[Editor's Note: Follow Khaleej Times live blog amid Israeli, US strikes on Iran for the latest regional developments.]
The US issued a warning for its citizens residing across several countries in the Middle East currently affected by the US-Israel-Iran conflict, urging them to depart immediately via commercial means due to "serious safety risks".
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The State Department urged Americans to leave the following countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, Oman, Iraq ,Qatar, Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
For those who need the authority's helping in departing the country via commercial means, the State Department has kept lines open 24/7, and urged Americans to call on +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) and +1-888-407-4747 (from the US and Canada).
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On Tuesday, authorities ordered non-emergency government staff and their families to leave Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and Jordan. They also closed several diplomatic missions in the region as tensions with Iran grew.
The US Mission to Saudi Arabia was closed on March 3 following a drone attack, with Americans in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran told to continue sheltering in place.
The US Embassy in Kuwait announced it will stay closed until further notice. All regular and emergency consular appointments have been cancelled.
In Israel, the US Embassy said it cannot evacuate or directly help Americans who want to leave. It advised citizens to make their own security arrangements.
These steps come as the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran spreads across the region. This has led to increased security at US diplomatic sites and limits on non-essential travel to military bases.
