US citizens urged to 'exercise increased caution' worldwide
The State Department issued a worldwide security alert Sunday advising U.S. citizens overseas to "exercise increased caution" amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
The alert came a day after the U.S. announced it bombed multiple nuclear sites in Iran, with President Trump warning of further strikes if Iran retaliates. The U.S. carried out the strikes a little over a week after Israel launched a broad attack on Iran, its top regional rival.
The State Department alert noted that the Middle East conflict has caused travel disruptions and “periodic” airspace closures across the region and also warned of “the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.”
The State Department is urging citizens to check travel advisories and security alerts before traveling abroad.
Similar security alerts have been issued over the years amid major conflicts. For example, an alert was issued in October 2023 advising caution after the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel.
More recently, but also under the Biden administration, the State Department last year issued an alert advising the LGBTQ community that they could be at increased risk of threat traveling abroad through June, which is celebrated as Pride month.
The latest security alert comes as U.S. officials brace for possible Iranian retaliation after striking three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend.
White House officials have urged Iran not to take actions against U.S. citizens or American interests and to come to the negotiating table to make peace, warning retaliation would bring more U.S. strikes.
The Department of Homeland Security issued a federal bulletin on Sunday warning of a “heightened threat environment” following the U.S. strikes. The bulletin warned of potential cyberattacks carried out by Iran or its proxies.