US orders staff departures, issues travel warnings across Middle East

​​​​​​​By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - The US State Department ordered the departures of personnel and issued travel warnings Sunday across the Middle East following American strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and escalating regional tensions.

The agency ordered the departure of family members and non-emergency personnel from Lebanon because of the "volatile and unpredictable security situation."

Iraq saw additional personnel departures in the last two days as part of operational streamlining that began June 12.

The US Mission to Saudi Arabia advised personnel to exercise increased caution and limit non-essential travel to military installations, recommending that Americans follow similar precautions.

Jordan maintains a Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" travel advisory, while Iraq remains at Level 4 "Do Not Travel" status.

The United Arab Emirates Embassy and consulate remain fully operational with an unchanged security posture despite regional monitoring.

-Additional warnings against protests

The State Department also issued warnings to personnel and citizens in Türkiye and Japan.

It emphasized that demonstrations may occur in Türkiye “due to regional events,” and those may "turn violent" even if intended to be peaceful.

In Japan, it noted that protests are expected in the vicinity of the US Embassy in Tokyo, US consulates general in Osaka and Sapporo, and surrounding neighborhoods. It emphasized that there is currently no indication that demonstrations will be violent, though the situation could change.

- Nuclear facility strikes prompt measures

The precautionary steps follow US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites using bunker-buster bombs at the Fordo facility in Iran via B-2 stealth bombers, plus submarine-launched cruise missiles targeting the Natanz and Isfahan sites.

US Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Dan Caine said more than 125 American aircraft participated in the mission, including stealth bombers, fighter jets, refueling tankers, a guided missile submarine and surveillance aircraft.

US President Donald Trump announced that American forces conducted "very successful" strikes on the nuclear sites.

Hostilities broke out June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.

Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured since then in Iranian missile attacks.

Meanwhile, in Iran, 430 people have been killed and more than 3,500 wounded in the Israeli assault, according to the Iranian Health Ministry.