U.S. Issues Worldwide Travel Warning for All Americans Traveling Abroad

While the escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran closed airspace across the Middle East over the weekend, and prompted the U.S. to alert any Americans in Israel and Iran to depart, there could be a broader impact for Americans going abroad.

On Saturday, the U.S. State Department issued a “Worldwide Caution” travel advisory for all U.S. citizens traveling outside the U.S. The advisory is not a warning against travel, but does tell Americans to “exercise increased caution” when traveling internationally.

“There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution,” the advisory reads.

The State Department is telling Americans headed abroad—a number that is expected to be at its yearly high as the summer travel season kicks off—to pay attention to its country-by-country travel advisories, which the State Department lists on its website.

Currently, outside of the Middle East, there are not a lot of countries on the “Level 4: Do Not Travel” list. Russia, Sudan, Burma, Libya, and a few others are the only countries Americans are being told not to travel to. There’s an even smaller number on its “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” list, which includes some parts of Mexico, Uganda, Guyana, and Guinea-Bissau.

For most countries, the State Department is either alerting Americans to “exercise increased caution” or “exercise normal precaution,” even with the increase in tensions in the Middle East and the U.S.’s involvement.

That includes France, which received a new warning that urges Americans to “exercise increased caution in France due to terrorism and civil unrest,” along with the Dominican Republic, which has a new advisory alerting travelers to be vigilant due to crime in the country.

All travelers headed abroad are advised to stay alert in crowded spaces, monitor local news, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service that lets U.S. citizens register their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.