US Warns Citizens Against Travel to 13 Middle East Nations Amidst Escalating Houthi Attacks

The United States has issued a stern warning to its citizens, advising against travel to thirteen countries across the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Syria, Yemen, and Israel. The advisories cite the pervasive threat of "terrorism" as the primary concern.

Washington specifically urged reconsideration of travel to Saudi Arabia due to significant threats, such as the "risk of drone and missile targeting of American interests by Iran and the Iranian-supported Houthis," alongside ongoing armed conflict and terrorism. The advisory for Saudi Arabia further stated, "Do not travel to the Yemen border due to terrorism." The US highlighted that Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia "have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area."

A State Department official clarified that these advisories do not signal new Houthi capabilities but rather reflect recent strikes, including those targeting airports. This statement referred to attacks by the Iran-backed group on the Riyadh, Dammam, Najran, and Jazan airports in recent weeks, which caused considerable disruption to air travel. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh only partially reopened after its closure this month, and international services have not yet fully resumed. The most recent Houthi attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam resulted in two fatalities and eight injuries, according to Saudi Arabia's Civil Aviation Authority.

Concerns are mounting over a potential renewed escalation between the US and Iran. US President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that Washington might conduct further military operations against Iran if a deal is not reached. "We may do another little Epic Fury," Trump stated at a rally in Florida, referencing the US military's term for its operations against Iran. He expressed doubt about Iran's willingness to negotiate, suggesting, "If they're smart, they'll just say, 'Let's get down to business.' But, you know, I doubt they'll do that because perhaps they're not smart." Earlier this month, Trump had stated that the US would refrain from striking Iran before the November 3 midterm elections.

Iranian officials have vowed a more extensive response to any new attack than the strikes Tehran launched across the region after February 28. Iran's National Security Council chief, Maj Gen Mohsen Rezaei, suggested that cables, data centers, and artificial intelligence sites could be targets for Tehran. Meanwhile, the US maintains a naval blockade on Iran’s ports, while Tehran continues to target ships in the Strait of Hormuz.