The United States Department of State has urged Americans to immediately leave more than a dozen countries across the Middle East, including Israel, citing serious safety risks. The advisory comes as military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran continue to escalate.

Americans have been told to depart Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen using commercial transportation while it remains available. The warning was issued by the assistant secretary for consular affairs in a new security update.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that 'the hardest hits are yet to come' for Iran, signaling an intensified phase of military operations. He stated that the campaign would continue until Iran's missile and naval capabilities are fully neutralized.