The US State Department has ordered non-emergency personnel to leave Bahrain, Jordan and Iraq as the region faces heightened instability following recent US Israeli strikes on Iran. The move comes as the US State Department expands its warnings and urges American citizens to depart from several Middle Eastern countries due to growing security risks.
The updated advisories reflect concerns over Iranian retaliatory attacks and increasing unrest across multiple countries where US personnel and facilities are located.
Escalation after US Israeli strikes on Iran
The current wave of instability began on Saturday after coordinated US Israeli strikes inside Iran that Tehran said killed dozens of civilians along with the country’s supreme leader. Iranian officials vowed a forceful response and began launching missile and drone salvos at US linked targets across the region.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards target US facilities
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced through the official IRNA agency that it had fired on a US air base in Bahrain as part of its response to the attack. Bahrain hosts key American military installations and has remained a strategic hub for US operations in the Gulf.
In Jordan, authorities said they intercepted more than a dozen missiles launched from Iran since Saturday. Jordanian air defenses have been on heightened alert as regional spillover intensifies.
Evacuation orders for US personnel
Updates for Bahrain and Jordan
The State Department said on X that it updated travel advisories for Bahrain and Jordan, ordering the departure of non-emergency US government personnel and their families. The statement cited significant security concerns linked to Iran’s retaliatory operations.
Iraq advisory tightened further
A separate announcement noted that Washington ordered non-emergency US employees to leave Iraq, although without mention of family members. Baghdad has witnessed rising tensions, including protests near the fortified Green Zone following the killing of Iran’s supreme leader. Hundreds of demonstrators, many dressed in black, attempted to reach the area housing the US embassy before being repelled.
Wide evacuation call for American citizens across the region
US urges civilians to “depart now”
The US State Department also issued a broad regional advisory urging American citizens to leave countries from Egypt eastward. Assistant Secretary of State Mora Namdar wrote on X that US nationals should “depart now” using commercial routes, highlighting severe security risks across 14 countries.
The list included Egypt, Gulf Arab states, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Israel and the Palestinian territories. Although Gulf states typically present themselves as safe commercial centers, they have increasingly faced missile and drone attacks due to their hosting of US troops.
Flight disruptions complicate travel
While the US is advising commercial departures, regional flight operations have been heavily disrupted by Iranian missile launches and airspace restrictions. The US government has not yet organized official evacuation flights.
Regional implications and relevance to Iraq
Impact on Iraqi security and economy
Iraq remains particularly vulnerable due to the presence of US forces, domestic political divisions and proximity to the Iran US confrontation. Heightened tension may influence border security, commercial activity, and the broader economic situation.
Key concerns for Iraq include:
• Increased risk of spillover attacks on US linked sites inside Iraq
• Potential disruption to regional transport and trade routes
• Rising political pressure on the Iraqi government regarding foreign military presence
Growing civilian concerns
With multiple countries bracing for further escalation, local authorities across the region are preparing for potential waves of unrest. Civil aviation delays, tightened security around diplomatic missions and increased surveillance have become widespread.
Conclusion:
The US State Department’s expanded evacuation orders underline rapidly escalating uncertainties in the Middle East after the US Israeli strikes on Iran. As regional tensions continue to rise, governments are on alert for further retaliatory actions and potential impacts on civilian safety and stability.
