Passengers walk through the terminal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on June 9, 2026 in Arlington, Virginia. (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)
Americans living or traveling anywhere outside the United States need to be extra cautious and pay attention to the news for any breaking events, the State Department warned in a travel advisory issued over the weekend.
Why you should care:
The State Department posted a "Worldwide Caution" alert over the weekend, noting the increasing hostilities in the Middle East and explaining that they could cause concerns for Americans in the region and around the world. The alert has been in place since February, but this latest statement comes after more than a week of continued hostilities between the U.S. and Iran.
Flight disruptions possible
The federal government also indicated that travelers overseas may see their flights canceled, or their plans disrupted by airspace closures.
What they're saying:
"Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the State Department wrote. "Groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world."
The State Department pointed out that its own diplomatic facilities have been targeted, including ones outside of the Middle East.
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What you can do:
The State Department detailed several ways travelers can stay up-to-date on the situation where they are or where they are heading. Travel Advisory and detailed information about a location or destination, along with any recent alerts, are available at travel.state.gov/destination.
The agency also pointed out that its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) allows U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip so that the State Department can contact them quickly in the case of an emergency or natural disaster. It also includes health, weather, and safety updates on the destination as well as planning information.
WhatsApp users can get the latest alerts by following the "U.S. Department of State - Security Updates for U.S. Citizens" channel. Alerts are also posted on the @TravelGov account on X.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from the U.S. State Department. This story was reported from Orlando.