United States orders immediate evacuation of citizens from Middle East as regional war with Iran intensifies

US State Department urges immediate evacuation from 15 Mideast nations as US-Israeli strikes on Iran continue and Hezbollah enters the conflict.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 4:01 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Times of Israel

State Department issues regional evacuation order

The United States Department of State has called for the immediate departure of American citizens from Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar urged citizens to utilize available commercial transportation while they remain operational. To manage the crisis, an inter-agency emergency task force has been activated in Washington. The directive follows reports from US officials predicting a major increase in military activity within Iran over the next twenty-four hours.

Hezbollah initiates attacks on northern Israel

The Lebanese group Hezbollah has officially entered the fray, launching a significant barrage of rockets and drones at northern Israeli communities. The group characterized the pre-dawn assault as a defensive act following a year of Israeli strikes, notably omitting mention of the recent killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In response, the Israeli military has initiated waves of airstrikes against Hezbollah command centers, weapon depots, and financial institutions across Lebanon, including the southern suburbs of Beirut. The IDF warned that the November 2024 truce is effectively voided by these imminent threats.

Iranian ballistic missile barrages continue

Iran has maintained a steady campaign of ballistic missile launches targeting major Israeli population centers including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Beersheba. While the Israeli Air Force and Navy have intercepted dozens of drones and missiles, fragments have impacted residential areas, causing damage to civilian infrastructure. Israeli security officials have noted a shift in Iranian tactics, with the regime attempting larger, coordinated barrages that result in longer lulls between attacks. The Home Front Command has extended nationwide restrictions until Saturday night, maintaining prohibitions on all non-essential gatherings and educational activities.