State Department issues warning to Americans living and traveling abroad

On Saturday, the State Department issued a warning to Americans living and traveling abroad, urging them to remain cautious in the face of increased threats on U.S. diplomatic facilities.

“Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation,” the State Department wrote in a statement on Saturday.

“We remind Americans in the region of the continued need for caution and encourage them to monitor the news for breaking developments.  The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution,” it added.

The warning comes a day after two U.S. service members were killed in Jordan due to an Iranian attack.

An additional four American service members were “medically evacuated.”

Iran has vowed to retaliate against resumed U.S. strikes on its coastal surveillance and air defense facilities, as well as their missile and drone storage sites, among other targets.

“Now that the American enemy is seeking to escalate the conflict thereby incurring even heavier costs and further humiliation, it should know that the noble nation of Iran and the Resistance Front have unforgettable lessons in store for it,” Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in remarks reported by Iranian state media.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has attempted to launch attacks on Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.

Authorities in Jordan recently had to evacuate Aqaba’s international airport due to a specific threat while the Kuwait International Airport has been hit by Iranian missiles and drones on multiple occasions.

“Flight cancellations and periodic airspace closures may cause travel disruptions,” the State Department warned on Saturday.

“Groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world,” the agency continued.

Officials have encouraged Americans abroad to enroll in the Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP) to register their trips with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and receive emergency updates.