The United States government has issued an urgent advisory urging American citizens to leave fourteen countries across the Middle East, warning of “serious safety risks” as the conflict involving Iran continues to escalate across the region.

U.S. officials said Americans should depart using available commercial transportation wherever possible and should not delay their travel plans.

The advisory reflects growing concern in Washington about the deteriorating security environment following a rapid expansion of hostilities involving Iran and allied forces.

The countries included in the warning span much of the Middle East, among them Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

Authorities cautioned that security conditions could deteriorate quickly as military activity intensifies and retaliatory strikes continue across multiple countries.

The advisory comes after Iran launched a wave of missile and drone attacks targeting locations connected to the United States and its regional partners.

Several Gulf states have activated air-defense systems and heightened security measures around military bases, diplomatic facilities and critical infrastructure.

The conflict has also severely disrupted civilian travel across the region.

Major airlines have canceled or rerouted flights as airspace closures spread across key aviation corridors, leaving many travelers struggling to secure departures.

Aviation tracking data shows large portions of Middle Eastern airspace operating under restrictions as military operations continue.

American officials emphasized that U.S. citizens should not rely on government-organized evacuation flights, urging travelers to make arrangements using commercial options while they remain available.

Authorities also advised Americans to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive real-time alerts and assistance from U.S. embassies.

Embassies and consulates across several countries have reduced staffing levels or temporarily suspended normal operations as security conditions evolve.

Some diplomatic facilities have been damaged or targeted during retaliatory attacks linked to the widening conflict.

Estimates suggest that hundreds of thousands of American citizens may be living, working or traveling across the region, particularly in major Gulf commercial hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Riyadh.

With flights disrupted and tensions rising, many are now racing to leave before conditions worsen further.

Officials say the advisory will remain under constant review as the situation develops, with governments across the region closely monitoring the conflict’s trajectory and its potential impact on civilian safety.