Following the U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities the previous evening, the State Department on Sunday night issued a global travel alert cautioning Americans traveling overseas to be very cautious.
While acknowledging that “there is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad,” the State Department statement makes no mention of the Saturday night attack.
“The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East,” according to the statement. “The Department of State advises U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution.”
When President Donald Trump gave the order for American airplanes to strike three of Iran’s nuclear installations on Saturday, the United States officially entered the Israel-Iran conflict.
While determining how, when, and where to retaliate, Iran has pledged to exact revenge.
The proxy war between Iran and Israel has been going on for years, but it gained momentum after the deadly surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, by the Tehran-backed outfit Hamas.
Israel murdered several of Iran’s senior military officers and targeted some of its nuclear facilities earlier this month, escalating the conflict between the two nations.
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Iran has retaliated by attacking Israel’s other areas, including Tel Aviv.
Following a warning to Americans last week not to visit Israel, the West Bank, or Gaza, the State Department made the announcement.
It approved the voluntary departure of non-emergency U.S. federal personnel and family members from Israel on June 14 “due to volatile and unpredictable security situation in the region.”
Iran does not currently possess a nuclear weapon, but Israeli and American foreign policy toward Tehran has been centered on concerns that it may be developing one.
