The United States has issued security alerts across 12 locations in the Middle East, warning Americans of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions amid a complex regional security environment.
US diplomatic missions have urged Americans in the region to exercise heightened vigilance, monitor airline operations and prepare for sudden changes to travel plans. The notices also refer to attacks by Iran-supported Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure that have caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The alerts, dated October 18, 2026, cover Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Iran, Qatar, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen and Israel/Jerusalem, according to the notices shared.
Because of safety risks, the Yemen notice warned that the US government could not provide emergency services to American citizens in the country.
The US Embassy in Iraq said its Baghdad embassy remained open for routine American citizen services. The US Embassy in Lebanon also said it remained open for routine American citizen and visa services.
US diplomatic missions have advised travelers to check flight departure information directly with airlines and airports rather than assume services will operate as scheduled. The US Mission in Iraq listed Baghdad, Erbil, Basrah and Sulaymaniyah airports for flight-status checks. The US Embassy in Lebanon directed travelers to Beirut Rafic Hariri International Airport, while the US Mission to Yemen named Yemenia Airways and Fly Aden Airlines as sources of flight information. The notices for Saudi Arabia , the UAE, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar carry similar warnings about possible travel disruption. The US Virtual Embassy for Iran separately reiterated that Americans should not travel to Iran and that US citizens there should leave.
