The U.S. issued a “worldwide caution security alert” late Sunday, less than 24 hours before Iran launched a barrage of missiles on an American military base in Qatar in retaliation for the strikes by the Trump administration on its nuclear sites.
In a security alert posted late Sunday, the U.S. State Department said it’s advising American citizens worldwide to “exercise increased caution.”
“The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East,” the alert reads. “There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.”
The alert advises U.S. citizens to consult its travel advisory, country information and any recent security alerts if planning travel.
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The worldwide alert, however, was just the latest in a string of alerts put forward by the U.S. State Department in recent days, including for Iraq, Jordan and Qatar.
On Monday morning, the U.S. government advised that its embassy in Qatar was recommending Americans shelter in place until further notice “out of an abundance of caution.”
Later in the day, the Qatar government issued an order to shut its airspace.
Just a short time after, Iran announced on state television that it attacked American forces stationed at Qatar’s Al Udeid Air Base, with a caption on screen calling it “a mighty and successful response” to “America’s aggression.”
Earlier on Sunday, the department also issued a security alert for Turkiye, saying due to regional events U.S. government personnel are being cautioned to maintain a low profile.
“Negative sentiment toward U.S. foreign policy may prompt actions against U.S. and Western interests in Turkiye,” the alert said. “In the past, such activities have included demonstrations, calls for boycotts of U.S. businesses, anti-U.S. rhetoric, and graffiti.”
Sunday’s advisory comes as world leaders continue to express concerns over the U.S. launching attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, with the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog saying he expected there to be heavy damage at the Fordo facility after bunker-buster bombs were used in the attack.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also commented on Monday that he believed the involvement of countries outside the Middle East was moving the world towards great danger, comments that came after telling Iran’s foreign minister there was no justification for the U.S. bombing of Iran.
In the hours since the U.S. strikes, numerous airlines have cancelled more flights to various Middle Eastern countries, with Air France suspending flights to Tel Aviv on Monday until July 14 and Finnair cancelling its routes to and from Doha, Qatar through to this Sunday.
On Friday, Air Canada also suspended service between Toronto and Dubai until July 3, while flights to Israel remain suspended until Sept. 8.
Global News has asked Global Affairs Canada whether it plans to issue alerts similar to those of the U.S.
— with files from Reuters
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