Baghdad: The US State Department on Saturday issued a warning to American citizens residing in the Middle East, urging them to exercise caution and prepare for potential airspace closures and travel disruptions as tensions in the region escalate.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the department released a statement advising Americans outside the Middle East to reconsider travel plans to the region. Those already present were recommended to consider leaving or be ready to do so in case of further escalation. The statement further warned that Iran and its proxies might target US interests or Americans globally.

US embassies located in key areas such as Baghdad, Amman, Israel, and the consulate in Erbil emphasized that the security situation is complex, with a potential for unexpected escalation due to rising tensions in the Middle East. The warnings align with Iran's recent vow to target critical energy infrastructure belonging to Israel and the United States, a response to what it perceives as US threats against Iranian energy facilities.

The tensions have been fueled by media reports indicating that President Donald Trump approved a plan for large-scale attacks against Iran. These reports, citing senior US administration officials, suggest the intention is to gradually weaken the Iranian regime.