An advisory posted on Monday urges Americans to “depart now via commercial means” from Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
But leaving by commercial airline has proved tough for many travellers.
Florida resident Krista Jucknath Hickman said she and her husband Mike’s holiday turned to “chaos” when they became stranded at Dubai airport.
“The number provided by the state department for support is unable to help,” she said. “I called twice.”
She added: “All that can be done is book flights that don’t take off.”
The couple eventually managed to book a driver for $1,000 to take them across the border into Oman.