US urges Americans in Middle East to 'depart now' amid escalating conflict
The US has issued an urgent advisory for its citizens to leave the Middle East immediately as the conflict intensifies. President Donald Trump stated that US strikes against Iran were the "last, best chance" to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb and missile programs, as the war rages for a third day with Israel and Hezbollah exchanging fire. Defensive systems in Israel are actively intercepting missile launches from Iran targeting multiple locations, including Jerusalem.
The United States has issued urgent travel advisories for American citizens in the Middle East as Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran, enters its third day on March 2, 2026. President Donald Trump launched this massive operation on February 28, 2026, targeting Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile programs, military assets, and leadership, with confirmed reports indicating the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The State Department has elevated travel advisories to Level 3: Reconsider Travel for multiple Middle Eastern nations including Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, while U.S. embassies in Jerusalem have issued shelter-in-place orders and advised citizens to limit movements.
Operation Epic Fury has involved over 900 U.S. strikes in the first 12 hours alone, with Israel executing more than 700 sorties using 200 aircraft to hit approximately 500 targets, achieving air superiority over Tehran. The campaign aims to permanently prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons after prior 2025 attacks failed to fully eliminate the threat. President Trump stated this represents the "last, best chance" to stop Tehran's nuclear bomb and missile programs, with the operation expected to continue for 4-5 weeks to annihilate missile sites, obliterate Iran's navy, and degrade terror proxies like Hezbollah.
Iran has responded with significant retaliatory strikes, firing over 162 missiles at Israel (peaking at 58 on February 28), 167 missiles at the UAE, and launching drone and missile attacks against U.S. bases across eight countries. Hezbollah has conducted additional attacks on Israel, while Israeli defensive systems have been actively intercepting missile launches targeting multiple locations including Jerusalem. The conflict has resulted in at least four U.S. service members killed and others wounded, marking the first American casualties of the campaign.
Major airlines including United, Delta, and American Airlines have suspended or canceled flights to key Middle Eastern hubs through early March, complicating travel options for Americans seeking to depart. The State Department urges citizens in the region to contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for country-specific instructions, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, monitor local media, and stay in close contact with airlines regarding flight status. While there is no new evacuation announcement as of March 2, 2026, the U.S. government maintains contingency plans and may offer assisted departures if conditions deteriorate further.
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