The U.S. Department of State issued a “worldwide caution” security alert Sunday, instructing Americans who are abroad to “exercise increased caution,” especially in the Middle East, amid the ongoing war in Iran.
Americans should follow guidance from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and be aware that periodic airspace closures “may cause travel disruptions,” according to the State Department.
More than 2,000 people have been killed since the U.S. and Israel launched airstrikes in Iran in late February, triggering a conflict that has widened across the Middle East, according to the Associated Press. The crisis has centered in recent days on the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway crucial to the global oil supply, with President Donald Trump demanding its reopening after Iran effectively closed it.
In the travel alert issued Sunday, U.S. officials said locations associated with the U.S. — even outside the Middle East — may become targets in the ongoing war.
“U.S. diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted,” the alert said. “Groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world.”
The government encouraged Americans who are traveling abroad to enroll in a program called STEP, or the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which allows U.S. officials to quickly contact them in case of an emergency.
The State Department also has a WhatsApp channel where Americans can follow the latest security alerts.
Travelers should also be aware of country-specific travel advisories, which the State Department updates every six to 12 months based on crime, natural disasters and other factors.
Atlanta, Houston and New Orleans have seen hourslong wait times at airports due to strained TSA staffing. Private contractors staff security checkpoints at San Francisco International Airport, largely sparing it from the problems seen elsewhere.
It was not immediately clear how many agents would be sent and to which airports. The plan faced backlash from labor leaders and Democrats.
“Replacing unpaid TSA workers with ICE agents is not a solution, but a dangerous escalation,” Everett Kelley, president of American Federation of Government Employees, said in a statement. “ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security.”