US issues advisory for Americans to exit middle east

The United States has urged its citizens to immediately leave several countries in the Middle East, citing serious security risks amid ongoing regional conflict.

In an updated security advisory issued, the United States Department of State listed a number of countries and areas where Americans face heightened threats on Monday. The advisory was shared Tuesday through the verified Facebook page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

The countries and territories named in the advisory include Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza (Palestine), Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

U.S. Department of State: Consular Affairs's FB Post

The State Department warned that there are “serious security risks” in these locations and advised American citizens to depart immediately using available commercial transportation options.

The advisory comes amid intensifying hostilities in the region. According to the statement, the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran last Saturday. The attacks reportedly targeted locations in Tehran, resulting in the deaths of several senior officials, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.