The United States has begun pulling non-essential diplomatic staff and their families out of several Middle Eastern countries as the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran continues to intensify.
Washington has also suspended or limited operations at multiple embassies across the region, citing growing security threats.
The US State Department directed non-emergency personnel to leave Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, and Kuwait. Officials described the move as a precautionary step in response to escalating violence and threats targeting American facilities.
Several US diplomatic missions have either temporarily closed or shifted to emergency-only services.
Here is the current status of key US missions across the region:
US Embassy Beirut, Lebanon
The embassy confirmed it would shut its doors on March 3. In a notice to citizens, it said: “The US Embassy in Beirut will be closed on March 3.”
US Embassy Islamabad, Pakistan
The embassy cancelled all visa appointments through Friday, March 6. It said: “Due to the current security situation, the US Embassy in Islamabad and the Consulates General in Lahore and Karachi have cancelled all visa appointments through Friday, March 6.”
US Embassy in Israel
The mission stated that it is “not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel”.
It also noted that Israel’s Ministry of Tourism has started operating shuttle services to the Taba border crossing from 2 March.
However, the embassy added: “The US Embassy cannot make any recommendation (for or against) the Ministry of Tourism’s shuttle.” It warned that if citizens choose this route, “the US government cannot guarantee your safety.”
US Mission to Saudi Arabia
The mission closed on Tuesday, March 3, cancelling “all routine and emergency American Citizen Services appointments”. Officials confirmed that a shelter-in-place advisory remains active in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran.
The mission urged citizens to “maintain a personal safety plan” and avoid the embassy “until further notice due to an attack on the facility”.
US Embassy Kuwait
The embassy closed until further notice after smoke was seen rising from the compound following reported Iranian attacks.
US Embassy Bahrain
The embassy suspended operations on March 3 “due to ongoing regional tensions”, cancelling all consular appointments.
US Embassy Amman, Jordan
Officials said that “out of an abundance of caution, all personnel … have temporarily departed the Embassy compound due to a threat”.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Update: West Asia Conflict Death Toll Rises
The conflict has caused heavy casualties across the region.
In Iran, the death toll from joint US-Israeli strikes has climbed to 787, according to the Iranian Red Crescent. Around 180 of those deaths occurred in Minab after a girls’ school was reportedly hit.
The US military confirmed that four American service members were killed and four others seriously injured during operations in Iran.
In Lebanon, Israeli strikes in the south have killed 52 people and injured 154, according to the health ministry.
In the UAE, three people, one Pakistani, one Nepalese, and one Bangladeshi, died in attacks in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Another 58 people sustained injuries.
Iranian strikes in Israel have killed around 10 people. Two deaths were reported in Iraq. One fatality occurred in Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, while at least 16 people were injured in Qatar.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Update: Why Is the US Evacuating Diplomats?
Security experts say Washington wants to reduce the risk to American personnel as missile and drone strikes spread across the Gulf and neighboring regions. Officials continue to monitor the situation and advise US citizens to follow local authorities and remain alert.
As tensions rise, diplomatic activity across West Asia remains severely disrupted, and no clear timeline exists for the restoration of normal embassy operations.
(Sunday Guardian)
