The U.S. State Department issued a “worldwide caution” security alert Sunday evening, warning American citizens to exercise increased vigilance amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
According to the alert, ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has already led to travel disruptions and airspace closures across the region. The alert also warns of potential demonstrations and threats to U.S. citizens and interests abroad.
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The security update came shortly after the Department of Homeland Security issued a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin, highlighting an increased threat environment in the United States itself.
The State Department cited several specific concerns:
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Possible retaliatory cyberattacks from Iranian government-affiliated hackers and pro-Iranian “hacktivists” targeting U.S. networks.
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Iran’s continued interest in targeting U.S. officials linked to the 2020 killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
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The risk of domestic extremist violence, which could rise if Iran’s leadership calls for direct retaliation against American targets.
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Recent U.S.-based terrorist incidents with anti-Semitic or anti-Israel motives, which could be further inflamed by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed retaliation for the strikes on its Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan nuclear sites, telling France’s president, “They must receive a response to their aggression.”
At an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, Iran’s U.N. ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani accused the U.S. of sabotaging diplomacy, stating that Iran’s military will determine the “timing, nature, and scale” of its response.
Americans traveling or living abroad are urged to monitor local developments closely, maintain heightened awareness of their surroundings, and register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for updates.
