The United States issued a travel advisory on March 3 warning Americans “not to travel” to Iran, Iraq and several other Middle Eastern countries, in “light of the evolving dynamics” in the region.
The advisory followed the start of US combat operations in Iran. The Iran-US-Israel conflict has now entered its 5th day and has spread to Gulf countries such as Dubai, Oman and Bahrain.
“Americans around the world, and particularly in the Middle East, should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest US embassy or consulate,” the US Department of Consular Affairs said.
In a post on X, the US State Department’s travel wing said: “The Trump administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans around the world.
The department confirmed it had issued a region-wide precautionary message to Americans in the Middle East in light of the evolving dynamics, urging US citizens to leave until commercial options are available.
US helpline numbers
Americans in need of consular assistance may contact the US State Department 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at
+1-202-501-4444 (from abroad)
+1-888-407-4747 (from US and Canada)
For the latest updates, Americans are encouraged to visit and sign up for alerts directly at http://step.state.gov.
Congress takes first vote on war with Iran
The US Senate will vote on Wednesday on President Donald Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran, an extraordinary test in Congress for a conflict that has spread rapidly across the Middle East without a clear US exit strategy.
The legislation, known as the War Powers Resolution, allows lawmakers to seek approval from Congress before any further attacks are carried out.
The Senate resolution and a similar bill being voted on in the House later this week face unlikely paths through the Republican-controlled Congress and would almost certainly be vetoed by Trump even if they passed.
Nevertheless, the vote marked a significant moment for lawmakers. Their decision on the five-day-old war — which Trump entered without congressional approval — could determine the fates of members of the U.S. military, countless other lives and the future of the region.
“Wars without clear goals don’t stay small. They’re bigger, bloodier, longer and more expensive,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said at a press conference Tuesday. “This is not a war of necessity. It is a war of choice.”
The Trump administration is struggling to gain support in Congress
After Saturday’s surprise attack against Iran, Trump sought to drum up support for a conflict that Americans of all political persuasions were already wary of. Trump administration officials have been a frequent presence on Capitol Hill this week as they sought to reassure lawmakers that the situation was under control.
“We are not going to harm American soldiers,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters at a raucous news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday.
