US govt advises Americans to leave Mideast

U.S. embassies across the Middle East have issued urgent advisories for American citizens to be prepared to leave the region amid fears of an "unforeseen escalation" in the ongoing conflict with Iran. The security alerts, posted online by U.S. missions in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, urged citizens to "consider departing" or be ready to do so should tensions rise further.

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Americans in the region should consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation

These warnings come as Iran's military accused the U.S. of "escalating tensions" and issued a stark threat: "Any country serving as a defensive shield for criminal and aggressive America will be engulfed by the flames of war." Ali Abdollahi, head of Iran’s military central command, stated this on state television, following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump was contemplating renewed heavy attacks on Iran, potentially targeting energy infrastructure.

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The United States is rapidly moving down the path of escalating tensions in the region

Regional incidents have heightened concerns. A commercial tanker was struck by an "unknown projectile" off the coast of Oman, while Kuwait reported destroying hostile drones. The U.S. naval blockade has also redirected some 30 commercial vessels, according to Centcom. In Jordan, Americans were advised against visiting U.S. military bases, which have recently faced Iranian missile attacks, and in Israel, citizens were urged to locate the nearest bomb shelter. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem cited Iran's "unpredictable" decisions to attack areas without warning as a reason for caution.

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Any country serving as a defensive shield for criminal and aggressive America will be engulfed by the flames of war