The U.S. Department of State has reaffirmed its Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Iran and Iraq, urging American citizens to avoid all travel to these countries amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, now in its fifth day following joint U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iranian targets.

The Level 4 advisory, the highest severity issued by the State Department, indicates extreme risks including terrorism, armed conflict, kidnapping, civil unrest, and arbitrary detention. For Iran, where the U.S. maintains no diplomatic presence, Americans are advised to shelter in place if already there and to depart via land routes if conditions allow, with assistance coordinated through the Swiss Embassy in Tehran acting as the protecting power. In Iraq, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad has directed citizens to exercise increased caution, shelter in place, avoid crowds, and consider departing when safe, noting ongoing threats from Iran-aligned militias and reports of missiles, drones, and rockets in Iraqi airspace.

This reinforcement comes as part of broader regional warnings issued in late February and early March 2026, following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran on February 28. A "Worldwide Caution" alert advises Americans globally, particularly in the Middle East, to follow embassy guidance due to potential travel disruptions from airspace closures and heightened threats. On March 2, the State Department urged immediate departure ("DEPART NOW") from over a dozen countries and territories, including Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen, citing spillover risks from the conflict.

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The advisories highlight severe challenges for Americans in the region, with many embassies suspending consular services, ordering non-essential personnel to depart, and limiting assistance capabilities. Commercial travel options remain disrupted due to airport closures, flight cancellations, and security threats, complicating evacuation efforts. Officials emphasize that plans should not rely on U.S. government evacuation support.

The measures reflect the volatile security environment driven by ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure and retaliatory actions by Iran and its proxies, which have widened the conflict across the region. As tensions persist, the State Department continues to monitor developments closely and update advisories accordingly, urging U.S. citizens to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for real-time alerts and to review country-specific information on travel.state.gov.

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