Amid rising regional tensions following military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, the United States has issued urgent guidance to its citizens in several Middle Eastern countries, urging immediate departures or shelter-in-place precautions.
Across Israel and the West Bank region, the U.S. Embassy confirmed it would not offer emergency passport services on Monday, June 23rd. U.S. citizens in the area have been instructed to leave using any available commercial or third-party assisted options. Although Ben Gurion Airport remains closed with no active commercial or charter flights, land routes to Jordan and Egypt, as well as sea passages to Cyprus, are currently open. The U.S. government has begun organizing assisted departure flights from Israel, and citizens are encouraged to fill out a crisis intake form to request support.
Land crossings to Jordan are operational, though delays and heavy traffic are expected. Travelers must prepare the necessary documentation, including a passport valid for at least six months and, in some cases, an electronic visa. Departures through Egypt via the Taba crossing are still possible, with international flights available from Sharm el-Sheikh. U.S. citizens are required to carry cash for entry fees and transportation costs.
In contrast, Iran’s airspace has been closed following the escalation. The U.S. government currently does not offer assisted departures from Iran due to the absence of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Citizens in Iran are being advised to exit the country by land through neighboring Azerbaijan, Armenia, or Türkiye if conditions permit. Dual U.S.-Iranian nationals must leave using their Iranian passports and should anticipate possible checkpoints and questioning by authorities.
Meanwhile, in Qatar, the U.S. Embassy urged American citizens to shelter in place “out of an abundance of caution.” Hours later, Qatar’s foreign ministry announced a temporary closure of its airspace, citing safety concerns amid the current regional situation. The ministry noted that the advisory did not necessarily indicate a specific threat, stating, “The security situation in the country is stable.”
Explosions were reported in Doha, and flights bound for Hamad International Airport have been redirected. British nationals have received similar guidance, with officials stating that the evolving situation would be “kept under close review.”
Roughly 8,000 U.S. troops are based at Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, a key operational hub for American military efforts in the region.
