The U.S. State Department issued a fresh travel warning for the Middle East, cautioning Americans there to be ready to leave.
"Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions," said the alert, which was shared on X on Aug. 1. "Some airlines in the region have postponed resumption of earlier flight schedules; others have cancelled some routes. Americans in the region should consider departing, or be prepared to depart should there be escalation."
The State Department has posted a number of similar warnings for travelers since the war with Iran began in February, and issued a worldwide caution alert
in July. That came after another global advisory in March.
The conflict scrambled travel in the region, forcing some travelers to shelter in hotels and stranding them on cruise ships.
"Americans outside the Middle East should seriously reconsider travel to and through the region," the latest alert continued. "Those who do travel to or from the region should monitor information about airport and airline operations."
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social late on Aug. 1 that he had agreed to cancel a new attack on Iran on the condition that a deal "rapidly" be reached to halt the country’s nuclear ambitions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Israel "joins me in this commitment," Trump wrote. Israel did not immediately make a public statement on the issue.
Iran warned the U.S. this weekend against any "adventurous action" and said it would retaliate decisively if American forces followed through on Trump's threats of fresh attacks on Iranian targets.
U.S. travelers can sign up for the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which enables officials to share updates about conditions from safety to weather and reach American citizens and nationals in case of emergency. Country-specific advisories are also available on its website.
Contributing: Reuters
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: State Dept. warns Americans in Middle East to 'be prepared to depart'
