On Saturday, July 19, 2026, the U.S. State Department issued a warning urging Americans living and traveling abroad to exercise increased caution due to heightened threats against U.S. diplomatic facilities amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The warning follows a deadly Iranian missile and drone attack in Jordan that killed two American service members and left another missing. The attack has raised concerns about the conflict spilling beyond traditional battlefields and increasing security risks for Americans overseas.

The State Department described the security environment as "complex" with the potential for unforeseen escalation and advised Americans worldwide, especially in the Middle East, to keep a low profile, avoid locations associated with the United States when possible, monitor local news, and follow security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. It also encouraged enrollment in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for security updates and emergency contact.

The U.S. embassy in Jordan urged Americans to avoid certain locations and reminded that an ordered departure for non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families has been in place since March due to ongoing security risks.

Iran has vowed retaliation against resumed U.S. strikes targeting its coastal surveillance, air defense facilities, missile, and drone storage sites. Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated, “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,” according to Iranian state media.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has attempted attacks on Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. Authorities recently evacuated Aqaba’s international airport in Jordan due to a specific threat, and Kuwait International Airport has been targeted multiple times by Iranian missiles and drones.

This global caution alert has been in place since February, warning that groups supportive of Iran could target Americans and U.S. interests overseas.

Sources