WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department issued a sweeping “DEPART NOW” directive on Monday, March 2, ordering American citizens to leave 16 countries and territories across the Middle East immediately. The emergency warning follows the launch of “Operation Epic Fury,” a joint U.S.-Israeli military offensive that has triggered intense retaliatory strikes from Iran and paralyzed regional travel infrastructure.
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar released the announcement via X (formerly Twitter), citing “serious safety risks” to U.S. nationals. The mandate applies to travelers in Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen.
Regional Airspace Collapses Amid Military Hostilities
The State Department is urging Americans to secure passage on any available commercial transportation while it is still possible. However, the window for departure is closing rapidly. Reports indicate that vast sections of Middle Eastern airspace have been shut down to civilian traffic, making return flights nearly impossible for thousands of travelers.
The logistical crisis extends to the sea. Currently, an estimated several thousand passengers are stranded aboard six cruise ships operated by four different companies in the Persian Gulf. While these vessels seek safer waters, their path is obstructed; Iran has vowed to block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint, preventing the ships from exiting the region.
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‘Operation Epic Fury’ and the Death of Khamenei
The current escalation follows a decisive military move on Saturday, Feb. 28. President Donald Trump announced that the United States and Israel conducted a joint strike, labeled Operation Epic Fury, targeting high-value Iranian assets.
According to the President, the strikes resulted in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In the 48 hours following the operation, Tehran launched a massive retaliatory campaign involving “dozens” of ballistic missiles and drone swarms. These strikes have targeted multiple nations and U.S. strategic interests, including:
- Diplomatic Targets: The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was attacked by two drones.
- Military Facilities: Iranian missiles targeted Al-Udeid Air Base (Qatar), Al-Salem Air Base (Kuwait), and Al-Dhafra Air Base (UAE).
- Israel: Intense barrages of ballistic missiles were directed at Israeli population centers.
Rising Casualties and the Human Cost
The military confrontation has already resulted in significant loss of life. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Monday that six U.S. service members have been killed in the initial waves of retaliation, with another 18 troops seriously wounded.
In a televised address from the White House, President Trump signaled that the conflict is far from over.
“America will avenge their deaths and deliver the most punishing blow to the terrorists who have waged war against, basically, civilization,” Trump stated. “There will likely be more [casualties] before it ends. That’s the way it is.”
The civilian toll across the region is also mounting. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reports at least 555 fatalities within Iran following the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes. Additionally, 11 deaths have been confirmed in Israel and 31 in Lebanon as the conflict spills across borders.
What Comes Next
As of Monday afternoon, the State Department has not announced organized evacuation flights, emphasizing that citizens should prioritize commercial options immediately. Geopolitical analysts warn that if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and airspace remains restricted, the U.S. military may be forced to conduct non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO) to extract thousands of stranded citizens from the combat zone.
The international community is now watching for the next phase of “Operation Epic Fury,” as the U.S. and Israel brace for further escalation from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
