US Embassies Urge Americans in West Asia to Prepare for Escalation

By Al Mayadeen English

US embassies across West Asia issue alerts warning of possible escalation, flight cancellations, and airspace closures amid the US war on Iran.

US embassies in West Asia issued security alerts on Tuesday, telling American nationals in the region to stay alert, prepare for possible flight disruptions, and weigh leaving amid fears of a sudden escalation.

The US embassy to the United Arab Emirates said the security situation remained volatile, with the possibility of an unplanned escalation, and advised Americans in the region to stay on guard and watch for flight cancellations, airspace shutdowns, and other travel disruptions.

Washington's missions in "Israel," Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman put out comparable warnings.

The warnings were issued before the US launched a wide-scale aggression targeting southern Iran, with explosions reported across Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Konarak, Jask, Sirik, and Minab. CENTCOM said the attacks began at 12 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, claiming its forces were targeting IRGC positions in response to alleged IRGC attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and on US military personnel in the region.

The US attacks were met with retaliation from Iran's armed forces. The IRGC announced it had launched retaliatory operations against US assets, and reported shooting down the 50th US MQ-9 Reaper drone using an Iranian air defense system. Iranian media also reported explosions at US bases in Jordan and in Erbil, Iraq, with Tasnim News Agency noting that Jordanian air defenses were activated.

The retaliation followed a warning from Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters that continued US strikes on Sistan and Baluchistan and Hormozgan would be met with devastating and crushing blows against the American side, and that Washington's continued aggression would bring heavier consequences.