URGENT UPDATE: The U.S. Embassy in Jordan has issued a critical shelter-in-place order for all Americans amid escalating tensions in the region. Just days after the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini, authorities are taking swift action to ensure the safety of U.S. citizens.
The embassy’s alert, released on March 2, 2023, instructs all Mission personnel to remain indoors and recommends that all Americans in the area do the same. “The embassy has instructed all Mission personnel to shelter-in-place. We recommend all Americans do the same,” the alert states. This comes as Jordanian authorities have reopened airspace, previously closed from 6 p.m. until 9 a.m. for safety concerns.
In a troubling trend, Iranian forces have already targeted U.S. diplomatic missions in the Gulf region. A drone strike on February 28 hit the parking lot of the U.S. consulate in Dubai, confirmed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “All personnel are accounted for,” he assured, yet described the threat as “direct,” emphasizing that “our embassies and our diplomatic facilities are under direct attack from a terroristic regime.”
In addition, Iranian drones struck the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, causing a “limited fire” that resulted in “minor material damage,” according to Saudi officials. The U.S. Department of State has also urged Americans to leave multiple Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates, due to rising threats.
The situation escalated after the U.S. and Israel’s military actions, which not only resulted in Khomeini’s death but also led to the destruction of a school, claiming the lives of 165 individuals, predominantly young girls aged between 7 and 12. Furthermore, at least 95 people sustained injuries from this attack.
Beyond diplomatic facilities, Iranian aggression has extended to tech infrastructure. Amazon Web Services reported drone strikes damaging two of its facilities in the UAE and Bahrain. “These strikes have caused structural damage, disrupted power delivery to our infrastructure, and required fire suppression activities,” AWS stated.
The ripple effects of these tensions are evident across the aviation sector, with reports indicating that Middle Eastern airports are leading in flight cancellations. Data from FlightAware shows that over 70% of flights from Doha, Dubai, and Bahrain were canceled on March 2, 2023.
As the situation develops, U.S. officials continue to monitor threats closely. The urgency for Americans to heed the embassy’s warning cannot be overstated, as the region remains on high alert.
Stay informed and ensure your safety by following local authorities’ guidance. Further updates will be provided as this situation unfolds.