State Department Updates Travel Advisories for 13 Middle East Nations

The United States State Department has updated travel advisories for 13 Middle Eastern countries due to increased attack threats from Yemen's Houthi rebels and Iran, as reported on October 24. The updated warnings cover Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen. The Saudi advisory specifically cited a heightened possibility of armed attacks by Iran-backed Houthis and Iranian efforts targeting US government officials. US intelligence indicated Iran has significantly intensified operations against American diplomats, with some potentially lethal plots in advanced stages. The State Department also evacuated non-emergency staff from Saudi Arabia and reduced personnel at embassies in the UAE, Lebanon, Qatar, and Jordan.