US issues global security alert for citizens amid escalating Iran tensions

The US State Department has issued a worldwide security alert for American citizens as tensions with Iran continue to escalate, warning of a rapidly deteriorating security environment and the risk of attacks on US interests across multiple regions.

In an advisory published on Saturday (July 19), the department urged US citizens—particularly those in the Middle East—to closely monitor local security developments and follow instructions issued by the nearest US embassies and consulates.

The advisory warned that flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions could occur at short notice, while cautioning that Iran-backed groups may target US diplomatic missions, military facilities and American citizens worldwide, including outside the Middle East.

The alert came just hours after US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that two American service members were killed and another remains missing while helping intercept Iranian missile and drone attacks in Jordan on Friday. Four other soldiers were injured but have since been discharged from hospital.

According to US officials, the latest casualties bring the official death toll of US personnel to 16 since the current phase of the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran began earlier this year.

In response, CENTCOM announced fresh strikes on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) targets, saying the operations were aimed at those responsible for the deaths of the US troops.

Iranian state media reported overnight missile strikes in Qeshm Island, Bandar Abbas and Sirik, describing the attacks as less intense than those carried out in previous nights. Tehran has maintained that it has continued launching missile and drone attacks on US military positions across the region, including in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Iraq and Syria.

Meanwhile, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned the United States that it would receive a response "it will never forget," while reiterating Tehran's earlier position that attacks on Iranian civilian infrastructure would have consequences across the region.

According to Iran's Health Ministry, 50 people have been killed and more than 500 injured in US strikes between June 27 and July 18, including women and children.