US Embassies Close, Americans Urged to Depart Middle East Amid Escalating US-Israel-Iran Conflict

Diplomatic Facilities Shutter Amid Regional Unrest

The United States State Department announced on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, the closure of its embassies in Beirut, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in response to escalating regional tensions. These closures follow a series of drone attacks targeting diplomatic facilities and a broader intensification of the conflict involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran.

The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh sustained 'minor damage' and a 'limited fire' after being struck by two suspected Iranian drones. Similarly, the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait was hit by a drone attack, causing a fire and leading to its closure 'until further notice'. The U.S. Embassy in Beirut also confirmed its closure 'until further notice' due to ongoing regional tensions and attacks in the country.

State Department Issues 'Depart Now' Advisory for Americans

In a significant move, the U.S. State Department has issued an urgent advisory, urging American citizens to 'DEPART NOW' from 14 Middle Eastern countries due to 'serious safety risks'. This directive mandates that Americans use available commercial transportation to leave the region immediately. The advisory covers a broad area, including:

• Bahrain
• Egypt
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Lebanon
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Syria
• United Arab Emirates
• Yemen

The State Department also ordered the evacuation of non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their family members from embassies in Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE.

Conflict Intensifies Across the Region

The current crisis stems from a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, which commenced on February 28, 2026. Iran has responded with widespread missile and drone strikes across the region, targeting both military and civilian locations in various Gulf states. Reports indicate that the conflict has resulted in significant casualties, including Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and hundreds of civilians. Additionally, six U.S. service members have been killed in the operation.

The escalating hostilities have severely impacted travel and aviation in the Middle East. At least 11,000 flights departing from and arriving in the region have been canceled since Saturday, and airspaces in countries such as Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iran, and Iraq remain closed. Ben Gurion Airport in Israel is also closed. The U.S. State Department has advised Americans to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for security updates.