US Closes Mideast Embassies as Iran War Escalates
The U.S. has begun closing several embassies and evacuating diplomatic staff across the Middle East as the war with Iran enters its fourth day. The move reflects growing security fears as President Trump signals the campaign could be an extended war, with key allies warning the “hardest hits are yet to come.”
The immediate trigger for the escalating conflict was a joint U.S.-Israeli military strike on Iran that began Saturday, February 28, 2026. The attacks targeted multiple cities, including the capital Tehran, and killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei along with other senior military commanders. In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has launched widespread missile and drone attacks. Targets have included Israel, U.S. military bases across the region, and locations in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was struck by two drones, causing a small fire and minor damage before it closed. The embassy in Kuwait also suspended services after being attacked. In response to the growing threats, the State Department has ordered the evacuation of non-emergency personnel from countries including Iraq, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait. The conflict has already resulted in casualties. The U.S. military has reported six American service members killed. Meanwhile, the Iranian Red Crescent has stated that the initial U.S.-Israeli strikes killed at least 201 people and injured 747 across 24 provinces. Another report cited at least 787 killed in Iran. The State Department has now issued a "Do Not Travel" advisory for most of the Middle East and a "worldwide caution." It has urged U.S. citizens to immediately depart from more than a dozen countries, including Saudi Arabia, Israel, the UAE, Qatar, and Egypt, due to serious safety risks. International reaction to the war has been sharply divided. Russia and China have issued statements supporting Iran, while allies like Canada and Australia have backed the U.S. and Israel. European nations and the UN have largely condemned the escalation and called for restraint. This war follows months of deteriorating relations. A 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June 2025 ended in a tense ceasefire. More recently, widespread anti-government protests erupted across Iran in late 2025, which were met with a violent crackdown, further destabilizing the region ahead of the current conflict.
