The State Department released a security alert Saturday morning advising Americans in the Middle East to “exercise caution and heightened vigilance” amid reports the United States might launch escalatory strikes at Iranian energy infrastructure over the weekend.Travelers in the region should “be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions,” the announcement said. “Some airlines in the region have postponed resumption of earlier flight schedules; others have cancelled some routes.” The announcement comes the morning after multiple outlets reported that President Donald Trump is considering an escalatory bombing campaign alongside Israeli military forces to target refineries and power plants, and that it could start as early as this weekend and last multiple days. Trump has repeatedly threatened to invade Kharg Island or otherwise broaden military operations throughout the conflict as Tehran has continued launching missiles and drones at ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. and Iran have intermittently launched strikes at one another’s military since the initial attack on Feb. 28 that killed the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. A failed memorandum of understanding signed in June kickstarted further recent bombing, including an almost two-week stretch in mid-to-late July of daily American attacks. Iran most recently carried out an unsuccessful attack on U.S. forces on Wednesday, prompting joint, retaliatory strikes by the U.S. and Saudi Arabia.“Americans in the region should consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation,” the announcement also said. “Americans outside the Middle East should seriously reconsider travel to and throughout the region. Those who do travel to or from the region should monitor information about airport and airline operations.”Trump said Friday at a cabinet meeting with White House officials that he’s “losing faith” in Iran’s leadership because of its tendency to “lie” and backtrack on negotiated promises.STATE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES 250,000 MORE TRUMP PASSPORTS AVAILABLEThe department last issued a region-wide or worldwide caution advisory on July 22 following the death of three U.S. service members in Jordan, and also issued one in the days following the initial attack in February.Reports of American escalation are further complicated by concerns over recent cyberattacks on water supply systems in Minnesota, Michigan, and other states nationwide. A preliminary analysis by U.S. officials found that Iranian hackers are likely behind the attacks, though an official designation has not yet been made.
