Middle East State Department Issued Travel Security Alerts
If you or someone you know is currently in the region and seeking guidance on what to do or how to depart, please consult the Security Alerts published by U.S. Embassies. These alerts are regularly updated and provide vital details on travel conditions, shelter-in-place directives, and border operations. You can find these alerts on the respective embassy websites or here.
The State Department strongly encourages all U.S. citizens traveling or residing abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enables you to receive real-time safety updates directly from U.S. embassies and makes it easier for officials to contact you during emergencies.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive critical information
- Have a contingency plan for emergencies and review the Traveler’s Checklist
- Monitor alerts from U.S. embassies and consulates in the region
Current Security Alerts
The Department of State has transmitted the following worldwide caution: The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East. There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution. Please read the Travel Advisory, country information, and any recent security alerts carefully when planning travel. You can find it hereor here.
The Department of State continues to provide assisted departure flights from Israel. If you or your family member are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident currently in Israel or the West Bank and seeking U.S. government assistance to depart, please complete the crisis intake form so the Department of State can better assist you and provide you with timely updates. That form can be found here. If you have already completed the crisis intake form, please do not fill it out again.
U.S. citizens seeking to depart Israel or the West Bank should take the first available option, even if it is not their first choice of destination. The U.S. Embassy is aware that third parties are assisting U.S. citizens in departing Israel overland to Jordan and Egypt and by sea to Cyprus. While the U.S. Department of State is not able to endorse any providers, they know some have been able to successfully help U.S. citizens. Please research these third parties before using them. The U.S. Embassy is also aware that there are commercial opportunities to depart Israel by ship, and U.S. citizens should check local media if other commercial opportunities arise to depart as the Department of State may not be able to provide the information before such travel options sell out.
The Department of State has opened crisis intake forms for U.S. citizens in Iran to pass information about consular assistance. However, because of the limitations on consular support in Iran, the Department of State does not anticipate offering direct U.S. government assisted departure from Iran. U.S. citizens seeking to depart Iran should depart by land to Azerbaijan, Armenia, or Türkiye if they deem conditions are safe/if they can do so safely. U.S.-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports and should be prepared to encounter checkpoints and questioning from Iranian authorities before departing Iran. Information on departing Iran via land borders is available in the Security Alert for Iran below.
The Department of State has also updated this information on the red security banner on Travel.State.Gov: Israel and Iran Departure Info for U.S. Citizens.
U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon: The U.S. Department of State ordered the departure of family members and non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Lebanon due to the volatile and unpredictable security situation in the region. Some airlines have suspended or cancelled flights; however, Lebanese airspace and Beirut Airport are currently open and commercial transportation options to leave Lebanon remain available but limited. Please check for available flight options from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport.
The latest Security Alerts to U.S. citizens:
- Israel: https://il.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-jerusalem-june-21-2025/
- Jordan: https://jo.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-amman-jordan-entry-requirements-to-jordan-june-22-2025/
- Lebanon: https://lb.usembassy.gov/step-alert-u-s-embassy-beirut-june-22-2025-ordered-departure-for-family-members-and-non-emergency-u-s-government-personnel/
- Turkey: https://tr.usembassy.gov/june-22-2025-exercise-increased-caution-in-turkiye-due-to-regional-events-avoid-travel-to-the-adana-consular-district/
- Saudi Arabia: https://sa.usembassy.gov/security-alert-22-june-2025/
- United Arab Emirates: https://ae.usembassy.gov/security-alert/
- Iraq: https://iq.usembassy.gov/security-alert-additional-drawdown-of-personnel-at-u-s-embassy-baghdad-june-22-2025/
- Iran: Iran Security Alert – Land Border Crossings (June 20, 2025) - U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran
Actions to Take:
- Refer to our website for the latest Security Alerts: https://il.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/security-and-travel-information/ or use the links above
- Be aware of your surroundings. Remain vigilant for anything appearing out of the ordinary
- Learn the location of the nearest bomb shelter or other hardened shelter. Download the Home Front Command Red Alert application or similar apps for mobile devices (available on devices within Israel) to receive real time alerts for rocket and missile attacks and armed UAV intrusions
- Avoid all demonstrations and large gatherings
- Avoid all areas where there is a heavy police presence
- Monitor local media
- Follow the instructions of local authorities
- Enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency
- Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Advisories (including the Travel Advisory for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza)
- Read the Country Information Page for Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. For additional information, refer to the “Traveler’s Checklist” on the State Department’s website
- Contact your airline directly for flight change details if your flight is affected
- Prepare a plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter/X
For country-specific updates, refer to:
- Israel, West Bank, Gaza Alerts: https://il.usembassy.gov
- Jordan Alerts: https://jo.usembassy.gov/category/alert/
- Lebanon Alerts: https://lb.usembassy.gov/category/alert/
- Iraq Alerts: https://iq.usembassy.gov/category/alert/
- Iran Alerts: https://ir.usembassy.gov/category/alert/
- Other U.S. embassies and consulates: www.usembassy.gov
Contact Information:
- U.S. Embassy Jerusalem: +972-2-630-4000 | JerusalemACS@state.gov
- U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv: +972-3-519-7575 | TelAvivACS@state.gov
- U.S. Embassy Amman (Jordan): +962-6-590-6000 | Amman-ACS@state.gov
- U.S. Embassy Baghdad (Iraq): +964-760-030-3000 | BaghdadACS@state.gov
- U.S. Consulate Erbil (Iraq): +964-66-211-4000 | ErbilACS@state.gov
You can also call the State Department's Office of Overseas Citizens Services at:
- 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S.)
- +1-202-501-4444 (from overseas)