U.S. embassies across the Middle East urged American citizens on Sunday to prepare for possible evacuation as fears grew of a widening military clash between the United States and Iran.
In statements issued by U.S. embassies in Jordan, Iraq and Israel, officials said Americans in the region should remain especially vigilant and be ready for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and broader travel disruptions. The embassies said some airlines have already delayed resuming service and some routes have been canceled.
The warnings also advised U.S. citizens to consider leaving, or preparing to leave, if the situation worsens. Americans outside the region were told to reconsider travel to or transit through the Middle East.
The alerts came after reports that the United States could launch a large-scale strike on Iran’s energy infrastructure as soon as this weekend. CBS reported that the United States and Israel were planning attacks on Iranian energy facilities, while The Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump had already ordered the strike and that the operation could last several days.
Experts say that if the United States carries out such strikes, Iran is likely to respond with retaliatory attacks on U.S. military bases in the Middle East. They also warn that any strike on Iranian energy facilities could deepen an energy crisis in the region and send shock waves through global oil markets.
