American Travelers Warned To Return Home Amidst War With Iran

On March 2, 2026, the U.S. State Department issued an urgent directive for American citizens to depart immediately from more than a dozen countries in the Middle East due to serious safety risks stemming from an escalating conflict with Iran. 

Countries Under Immediate Departure Orders

The State Department has explicitly urged Americans to "DEPART NOW" via commercial transportation from the following locations

Gulf States: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Levant & North Africa: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and the West Bank and Gaza.

Conflict Zones: Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. 

Ordered Government Evacuations

Parallel to the general warning for private citizens, the State Department has ordered the evacuation of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their family members from several diplomatic posts. Locations with ordered departures include: 

Jordan has ordered on March 2 due to safety risks and potential drone/missile attacks.

Qatar has ordered on March 2; routine consular services at the U.S. Embassy in Doha have been suspended.

Iraq has ordered for non-emergency employees at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad due to security concerns.

Evacuations have also been ordered or authorized for non-essential staff in Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. 

Citizens are urged to leave using any available commercial flights immediately, as regional airspace closures and flight cancellations are making departure increasingly difficult. For those unable to depart immediately, the State Department has recommended sheltering in place in countries like Israel, Qatar, and the UAE. Citizens in Iran should be prepared to shelter in place for extended periods. Americans requiring help to arrange commercial departure can contact the State Department 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) or +1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada).