Iran's warning comes after intelligence reports confirm the U.S. is preparing a new operation in the Middle East, a move that could widen the already volatile conflict. President Donald Trump has already issued a stern rebuke to Tehran, warning that failure to reach a deal would invite severe consequences and that "very big things" could happen.
The latest flare follows Yemen's Iran‑backed Houthis claiming attacks on Saudi targets, including the capital Riyadh and the oil facility in Yanbu. Saudi Arabia has yet to comment, but a Saudi‑led coalition said it had foiled other attack attempts, underscoring how the region’s security calculus is shifting.
The U.S. State Department, on Saturday, warned Americans in the area of potential “unforeseen escalation,” urging them to exercise heightened vigilance and prepare for flight cancellations and airspace closures as tensions rise.
The nearly seven‑month‑old U.S.–Iran war has already disrupted energy supplies, with Iran continuing to block most shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and refusing to reopen the waterway until the terms of a June ceasefire agreement are met, further tightening global oil markets.
For expatriates and travelers in the region, the State Department’s alert means checking flight schedules and considering alternative routes, as airlines have begun to cancel or delay services to the Gulf and Red Sea corridors.