U.S. diplomatic missions in Iraq, Jordan and Israel issued rare, near-simultaneous security alerts late Friday warning American citizens to reconsider travel to or through the broader Middle East. The Baghdad Embassy cited credible intelligence of potential attacks on U.S. interests following a spike in Iranian drone strikes across the Gulf. The cables urge travelers already in the region to prepare for airport closures, flight cancellations and shelter-in-place orders. They also recommend that U.S. passport holders enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so they can receive real-time evacuation guidance. Commercial insurers report a sharp uptick in inquiries for war-risk coverage on itineraries transiting Gulf hubs such as Doha and Dubai. For multinational companies the advisories trigger duty-of-care obligations. Travel managers should review whether current insurance policies include medical evacuation from high-risk zones and confirm that vendor contracts allow rerouting at short notice. Firms with fly-in/fly-out project staff in Iraq’s energy sector face particular exposure, with some contractors already shifting crew changes to Cyprus or Greece. The State Department has not upgraded any country to Level 4 (Do Not Travel), but officials told Global Mobility News that threshold could be crossed “in hours, not days” if regional escalation continues. Companies are therefore urged to maintain a 72-hour evacuation plan for all business travelers and expatriates.
Source: Shafaq News / Anadolu Agency
