The U.S. State Department has issued a worldwide travel caution, warning Americans of potential flight cancellations and airspace closures amid escalating tensions with Iran. The alert advises U.S. citizens, particularly those in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution and follow the guidance of their nearest U.S. embassy.
"Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the State Department stated. Officials indicated that "flight cancellations" and "periodic airspace closures" could disrupt travel in the coming period. U.S. diplomatic facilities and overseas interests have been identified as potential targets by Iran and its proxies.
These warnings follow a new wave of U.S. airstrikes launched against Iran. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) stated that these strikes were initiated to "swiftly punish" Iran's Revolutionary Guard for an attack in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of two American service members, with one service member still missing and four others requiring hospitalization. The troops involved in the Jordan attack have since been medically evacuated.
CENTCOM confirmed that its strikes, which began Saturday evening, targeted "surveillance sites, military logistics infrastructure, underground weapons storage, and maritime capabilities." The command stated the strikes were intended to degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and to retaliate for the attacks on U.S. service members in Jordan. The U.S. has not yet released the identities of the fallen service members out of respect for their families.
According to Iranian state television, U.S. airstrikes have hit electricity and desalination plants in Iran's southern Hormozgan province. The Bonji desalination plant was reportedly destroyed, impacting water supplies for approximately 10,000 people, while a desalination plant on Qeshm Island sustained damage. Overnight strikes also reportedly damaged tunnels and a bridge, disrupting a major highway leading to Bandar Abbas, Iran's primary port near the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities claim that at least 50 people have been killed and over 500 wounded in U.S. strikes over the past three weeks.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, has condemned the U.S. actions as "criminal" and referred to the United States as the "Great Satan." He also warned of "unforgettable lessons" if the U.S. continued its attacks against the Islamic Republic, stating that President Trump's signature on a recent agreement was "worthless and invalid."
Iran has announced it is suspending its commitments to an interim deal aimed at ending the conflict, citing U.S. violations. This development further strains fragile diplomatic efforts. Khamenei has also invoked Iran's armed proxies in the region, referred to as the "Axis of Resistance," in his warnings.
The conflict has largely centered on control of the Strait of Hormuz. The widening strikes now pose a threat to civilian infrastructure, including desalination plants vital for drinking water, and have put the global economy on alert. The Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed to shipping traffic after the conflict began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on February 28.
In Kuwait, a water desalination plant and an oil facility were reportedly hit by Iranian strikes, causing a fire at the desalination plant and forcing several power generation units offline. Several firefighters and a worker were injured while battling blazes sparked by the strikes. Kuwait briefly closed its airspace due to missile threats, and Kuwait Airways announced flight reschedulings.
Meanwhile, Iraq reported shooting down attack drones over the city of Irbil. Jordan's state news agency stated its air defense systems intercepted Iranian missiles, and air sirens were heard in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. The Gulf Cooperation Council accused Iran of war crimes for strikes on infrastructure and civilian facilities.