What to do if you're an American in the Middle East right now
Business Insider
February 28, 2026
Traffic gridlock in Tehran on Saturday, February 28, 2026, after Israel and the United States launched strikes on Iran.
Majid Asgaripour/Reuters
Americans are being advised to shelter in place in many Middle Eastern countries.
The US and Israel struck Iran on Saturday.
Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar have closed their airspaces.
Americans in many Middle Eastern countries have been advised to shelter in place after the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran on Saturday.
The US Department of State Consular Affairs and related embassies posted on X that US citizens in countries including Iran, Bahrain, Jordan, UAE, Qatar, were advised to shelter in place until further notice.
Due to ongoing military operations, U.S. citizens in Iran are advised to shelter in place until further notice. Read the full Security Alert here: https://t.co/nJbvr2CXt3 pic.twitter.com/RvmGufq1Fl
— TravelGov (@TravelGov) February 28, 2026
Hours later it posted guidance for US citizens in Iraq, advising them to "exercise increased caution, limit their movements, and be prepared to shelter in place."
"There are reports of missiles, drones, or rockets in Iraqi airspace. The security environment remains complex and can change quickly," the US Department of State Consular Affairs wrote.
"If you are in Iraq, you should review your personal security plan and evaluate options to shelter in place or depart Iraq should the situation deteriorate," it continued.
U.S. Mission Iraq advises U.S. citizens to exercise increased caution, limit their movements, and be prepared to shelter in place. There are reports of missiles, drones, or rockets in Iraqi airspace. The security environment remains complex and can change quickly. Read the full… pic.twitter.com/cbvtXyLg2R
— TravelGov (@TravelGov) February 28, 2026
The US Embassy in Jerusalem said it had directed all US government employees and their families to shelter in place, and that Israel had closed airspace to all civilian flights.
The US Department of State Consular Affairs also warned of imminent drone and missile attacks in Bahrain.
If you have been affected by the strikes in Iran and have a story to share, contact this reporter: kgander@businessinsider.com
The US Embassy in Beirut wrote that the Department of State "urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon now while commercial options remain available."
Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar have closed their airspaces. A video shared on Flightradar24 showed airplanes leaving the region.
Of the approximately 3,400 flights scheduled to the region, 230 were cancelled as of 12 p.m. Central European time, while 40 due to fly on Sunday were preemptively cancelled.
Airports in the region shared travel updates online. Dubai Airports said all flights at Dubai International and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International were suspended until further notice. It advised passengers not to travel to those airports at this time, and to contact their respective airlines for updates on flights.
⚠️ UPDATE: Flight operations at @DXB and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) have been suspended until further notice.
Guests are advised not to travel to the airport, and to check with their airlines for flight updates.
— DXB (@DXB) February 28, 2026
King Abdulaziz International Airport in Saudi Arabia, Hamad International Airport in Doha, and Abu Dhabi Airports gave similar advice to passengers.
In a video statement posted on social media on Saturday, President Donald Trump vowed to destroy Iran's missile program and navy and said the objective of the strikes is to "defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats."
"My administration has taken every possible step to minimize the risk to US personnel in the region. Even so — and I do not make this statement lightly — the Iranian regime seeks to kill," Trump said.
"The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war," Trump continued.
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/28/2026