The U.S. State Department warned on 20th July that American citizens should be alert for “unexpected security developments” in the Middle East as tensions there could result in “travel disruptions and potential threats to the security of U.S. interests overseas.

The security situation continues to be complex and unpredictable in the Middle East and could escalate, the department stated in its advisory.

Currently travelling Americans in the Middle East were warned to be alert and ready for possible flight cancellations, airport closures, and other travel restrictions.

The department urged U.S. citizens to keep an eye out for security alerts posted by the American embassies and consulates, pay attention to advice from local officials and check in regularly with the news media.

Americans in the rest of the world should think twice about travelling in and to the Middle East.

U.S. diplomatic posts, including outside the Middle East, have been targets, as have other U.S. interests overseas or at facilities linked to the United States and Americans worldwide, it added.

The tension was increasing in the region because of the combined US-Israeli military strikes against Iran that took place in February. As a counteraction to this, Iran attacked the Gulf states, where the US had some assets through drones and missiles.

Just last month, the US and Iran signed an agreement under Pakistani mediation in order to resolve their dispute and establish permanent peace between them, but the tensions increased yet again in the Strait of Hormuz because of the attacks that were initiated by both sides.