The United States has warned Americans across the Middle East to stay on high alert, saying they face a heightened threat of armed attacks by Iranian-supported Houthi forces and of Iranian efforts to target American government officials in the region.
The warning was issued by the US Department of State and published by American embassies across the region on 7 November, including the US missions in Saudi Arabia and Iran. It tells Americans currently in the Middle East to exercise heightened vigilance and to be aware of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruption.
The alert covers a wide sweep of the region, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Lebanon. It says the Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure that have caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruption, and warns that the hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly.
It also warns that Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other American interests overseas or places associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including American businesses and other institutions. Americans in the region are advised to enrol in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program so the nearest embassy or consulate can reach them in an emergency.
The fresh warning comes amid reports of another military confrontation around Iran's Qeshm Island, near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. Iranian media reported on Friday that two missiles had struck the island, with local media reporting no casualties, according to Al Jazeera's live coverage.
The Houthis claimed on Thursday that they had targeted King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, using a drone. Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps also said on Thursday that two oil tankers and a tugboat had caught fire in separate incidents in the Strait of Hormuz after allegedly attempting to use unauthorised routes through the waterway.
The alert was issued even as diplomatic efforts continue. President Donald Trump said the United States remains engaged in discussions with Tehran and is optimistic about their progress, telling reporters: “We are doing very well with Iran. We're talking to Iran.” He repeated that Iran would never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, and the United States has announced a reward of up to 20 million dollars for information related to Iran's nuclear programme.
Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, has urged the United States and Iran to reach a peace deal and not wait for a “perfect moment”, warning in an interview at Oxford University that they cannot afford to delay. Talks between American and Iranian representatives are under way, according to Mr Trump, following a call with Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, while Qatar has rejected reports that the negotiations have collapsed.
Iran has sent the United States a proposal on its nuclear programme through Qatari mediators, but says negotiations will only begin once Washington meets seven Iranian conditions, including lifting sanctions and releasing frozen assets. The Times of London reported that Iran is distributing iodine tablets to communities near its nuclear facilities as it prepares for the possibility of American strikes, quoting a health ministry official as saying: “Trump can no longer be trusted. He may go through with this crime.”
The security warning follows weeks of rising tension in the Gulf, where five tankers and a tugboat caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on 5 November after striking naval mines, and a seafarer was killed when a suspected missile hit the tanker MT Velos Sapphire in the Arabian Gulf on Friday. On 23 October, the State Department ordered non-emergency American government employees and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia because of safety risks. What happens next is likely to turn on whether the Qatar-led mediation produces a deal, with travellers across the region advised to check the latest country-specific alerts at travel.state.gov before flying.
