The United States has suspended operations at several of its diplomatic missions in the Middle East following escalating regional tensions and security incidents, announcing the cancellation of routine and emergency consular services in affected countries.
The US Embassy in Kuwait said it has halted operations “until further notice” due to ongoing instability. In a statement, the mission confirmed that all scheduled regular and emergency consular appointments have been cancelled, adding that it will announce when services resume.
The decision comes after reports of military incidents in the region, including claims by US officials that six American troops were killed and three US fighter jets crashed in Kuwait in what was described as an apparent friendly fire incident.
In Iraq, the US Embassy directed non-emergency government personnel to leave the country for security reasons. The mission also revised its travel advisory, restricting US personnel in Baghdad from using the international airport due to heightened risks.
Separately, the US State Department urged American citizens to depart immediately from more than a dozen countries in the region, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, Yemen, and the West Bank and Gaza.
In Saudi Arabia, the US Embassy in Riyadh suspended all routine and emergency services after reporting an attack on its facility. A shelter-in-place order has been issued for US missions in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran, with citizens advised to avoid embassy premises and maintain personal safety plans.
Authorities said operations will remain under review as the security situation evolves.
