US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on Americans to “fly out now” from several Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt. He advised them to sign up for STEP alerts and use commercial transportation to leave these countries.
“To all US citizens in the Middle East: your safety and security is our number one priority. Sign up for STEP alerts on the Get informed page at @TravelGov and you can call the department 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444,” Rubio wrote on X, sharing a video message.
In the video, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the department’s top priority is the safety and security of American citizens.
Rubio condemned Iran’s “cowardly attacks” against other Gulf countries and said the department has increased personnel and resources to assist American citizens with safety and security information since the military campaign began on Saturday.
For which countries has a security alert been issued?
Marco Rubio advised Americans currently residing in THESE countries to “depart immediately” due to “serious security risks”:
Israel, West Benak, Gaza
US helpline number
“Americans needing State Department assistance in making commercial departure arrangements, CALL US 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) and +1-888-407-4747 (from the US and Canada),” Deputy Secretary Mora Namdar wrote on X.
She also shared a link where people can to write down get the latest security updates from the nearest US embassy or consulate.
STEP: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service that allows US citizens and nationals to enroll in travel abroad so that the State Department can accurately and quickly contact them in the event of an emergency.
“The hardest hits are yet to come”
President Donald Trump said the bombing campaign that began on Saturday would continue after the US-Israeli alliance hit hundreds of targets across Iran.
Still, Rubio told congressional officials Monday before a briefing that the goal of the U.S. campaign was to destroy Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, that it could be accomplished without ground forces, but that “the hardest hits are yet to come.”
“The toughest strikes are yet to come from the U.S. military. The next phase will be even more punishing for Iran than it is right now… The world will be a safer place when we’re done with this operation,” Rubio said Monday.
“The bottom line is, no matter who rules that country in a year, they’re not going to have these ballistic missiles and they’re not going to have these drones that threaten us. That’s the goal of this mission,” he said.
