US Shuts Embassies as Iran War Enters Day 4

The State Department has issued its highest-level "Do Not Travel" advisories for more than a dozen countries and territories across the Middle East, urging any American citizens to "DEPART NOW." The list includes regional power players like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, and Israel. The embassy closures follow direct attacks on U.S. diplomatic compounds. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was struck by two drones, causing a fire and minor damage. The embassy in Kuwait City was also attacked and has closed until further notice. This conflict began on February 28, 2026, with joint U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran following the collapse of nuclear program negotiations. In response, Iran has launched hundreds of retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeting U.S. forces and allies in at least eight neighboring Arab states. The war has already claimed American lives, with the Pentagon confirming that six U.S. service members have been killed. The Iranian Red Crescent Society has reported 787 fatalities from U.S. and Israeli strikes, though this number has not been independently verified. Global reactions have been mixed, with Russia and China condemning the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes. Key European allies like the U.K., France, and Germany have called for de-escalation, while Canada and Australia have voiced support for the American-led military action. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil exports. The move prompted an immediate demand from Japan that Iran reopen the vital waterway.