The United States of America (USA) has issued a travel advisory warning Americans to “not travel” to Iran, Iraq and other Middle East countries, in a region-wide precautionary message in “light of evolving dynamics”.
The advisory comes following the launch of US combat operations in Iran. The conflict has now entered Day 5 and has spilled to Gulf nations such as Dubai, Oman, and Bahrain.
“Americans worldwide and especially in the Middle East should follow the guidance in the latest security alerts issued by the nearest US embassy or consulate,” said the US Department of State Consular Affairs.
In its latest tweet, the US State Department’s Travel wing said, “The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans worldwide.”
The department said it issued a region-wide precautionary message to Americans in the Middle East in light of evolving dynamics.
US helpline numbers
Americans who need consular help can reach the US State Department 24/7 by phone at
+1-202-501-4444 (from abroad)
+1-888-407-4747 (from the US and Canada)
For the latest updates, Americans have been advised to visit and enroll to receive alerts directly at http://step.state.gov.
Congress to take first votes on Iran war
The US Senate will vote on Wednesday on President Donald Trump’s decision to embark on a war against Iran, an extraordinary test in Congress for a conflict that has rapidly spread across the Middle East with no clear US exit strategy.
The legislation, known as a war powers resolution, allows lawmakers to demand congressional approval before any further attacks are carried out.
The Senate resolution and a similar bill being voted on in the House later this week face unlikely paths through the Republican-controlled Congress and would almost certainly be vetoed by Trump even if they were to pass.
Nonetheless, the votes marked a weighty moment for lawmakers. Their decisions on the five-day-old war — which Trump entered without congressional approval — could determine the fates of US military members, countless other lives and the future of the region.
“Wars without clear objectives do not remain small. They get bigger, bloodier, longer and more expensive,” said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer at a news conference Tuesday. “This is not a necessary war. It’s a war of choice.”
Trump administration scrambles for congressional support
After launching a surprise attack against Iran on Saturday, Trump has scrambled to win support for a conflict that Americans of all political persuasions were already wary of entering. Trump administration officials have been a frequent presence on Capitol Hill this week as they try to reassure lawmakers that they have the situation under control.
“We are not going to put American troops in harm’s way,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in a raucous news conference at the Capitol on Tuesday.
