The State Department is warning Americans worldwide to watch their surroundings. In a rare Sunday alert, officials issued a “Worldwide Caution” advisory following U.S. operations in Iran, citing rising tensions and the risk of travel disruptions across multiple regions.
March 22, 2026 - The Department of State advises Americans worldwide to exercise increased caution.
Location: Worldwide
Event: The Department of State advises Americans worldwide, and especially in the Middle East, to exercise increased caution. Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Periodic airspace closures may cause travel disruptions. U.S. diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted. Groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world.
Enroll at step.state.gov to receive the latest security alerts and follow the “U.S. Department of State - Security Updates for U.S. Citizens” channel on WhatsApp(opens in a new tab) or @TravelGov on X. When planning travel, carefully read the Travel Advisory and detailed information for your destination, and any recent alerts at travel.state.gov/destination.
The alert comes as Operation Epic Fury continues, and on the heels of President Trump's ultimatum to Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz:
If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP
READ MORE: Breaking: Donald Trump Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Iran — Open the Strait of Hormuz or Face Disaster
It also comes as the Department of Homeland Security remains unfunded, with the U.S. Senate deadlocked on the issue, despite the strain it's causing for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and thousands of U.S. travelers.
While travel advisories are not uncommon for the State Department, they typically are issued by country or region. Worldwide cautions such as the one issued Sunday, in contrast, are rare, the most recent being issued last June following Operation Midnight Hammer.
The State Department issues a worldwide caution when there is a broad elevated risk for U.S. citizens abroad. The last two times the U.S. issued worldwide cautions were in October 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, and in August 2022, after the U.S. drone strike killed al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan. In contrast, the State Department has a much more tailored travel advisory for every country with a tiered risk assessment ranging from Level 1 to Level 4, which pertain to long-term or chronic threats. A third type of notification—a security alert—is issued by U.S. embassy or consulate to provide real-time safety and security information for situations that may be temporary in nature.
As indicated, the caution is not a travel ban, but a warning that the risk to U.S. citizens abroad is elevated. This is a developing story.
Editor's Note: For decades, former presidents have been all talk and no action. Now, Donald Trump is eliminating the threat from Iran once and for all.
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