US Shuts Embassies as Iran War Enters Day 4

The U.S. has ordered the evacuation of non-emergency government personnel from at least six countries in the region, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and Jordan. The State Department has also urged American citizens to depart from more than a dozen countries and territories in the Middle East immediately due to the escalating safety risks. Iran has retaliated for "Operation Epic Fury" with missile and drone strikes targeting U.S. forward bases across the Middle East. Confirmed targets include military installations in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Jordan. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was struck by two drones, causing minor damage and a small fire, while the embassy in Kuwait City was also attacked, prompting the closure of both missions. The conflict has so far resulted in the deaths of six U.S. service members and has left 18 others wounded. The Iranian Red Crescent reports that the death toll in Iran from U.S. and Israeli strikes has climbed to 787. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has given conflicting reports regarding Iran's nuclear facilities. Initially, the agency stated there was "no indication" that any nuclear installations had been hit. However, the IAEA later reversed its stance, confirming "some recent damage to the entrance buildings" of Iran's underground Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant based on new satellite imagery. Iran's ambassador to the IAEA maintains that the Natanz site was directly attacked. This recent escalation follows "Operation Midnight Hammer" in June 2025, when the U.S. struck Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. President Trump has stated that the current military campaign could last four to five weeks, but that the U.S. has the "capability to go far longer than that." International reactions to the conflict have been mixed. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the "use of force" by the U.S. and Israel, as well as the subsequent retaliation by Iran. China and Russia have also condemned the strikes, calling for a return to diplomatic talks. Meanwhile, Canada has expressed support for the U.S. actions. The joint U.S.-Israeli operation has reportedly struck over 1,000 targets in its initial 24 hours, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command centers, air defense systems, and naval assets. The operation has also resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.