US issues “worldwide caution” for Americans over Middle East conflict

The US State Department issued a "worldwide caution" for Americans on Sunday, saying the conflict in the Middle East could put those traveling or living abroad at an increased security risk.

"There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad," and "the Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution," said the State Department's security alert.

The statement made no mention of the United States’ involvement in the conflict through its airstrikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, a move Tehran has warned could carry “irreparable consequences.”

On Sunday, Iran threatened US bases across the Middle East with retaliatory attacks following what Trump described as airstrikes that "obliterated" Iran’s nuclear program.

Ali Akbar Velayati, senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, declared that the US now "has no place" in the Middle East, warning that it "must prepare for consequences that cannot be undone."

Velayati also stated that any bases used by US forces to launch the strikes "will be considered legitimate targets."

Meanwhile, the United States began evacuation flights on Saturday for American citizens and permanent residents from “Israel”, amid fears of further escalation.

The US mission in Iraq also further reduced its personnel over the weekend, with additional staff departing Saturday and Sunday.

In Lebanon, Washington ordered the departure of non-essential embassy staff and their families from Beirut and issued a travel advisory urging Americans to avoid travel to the country.