The U.S
By Bernard Moerdler,
The U.S. State Department warned Thursday that hostilities in the Middle East could escalate rapidly, even as President Donald Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections.
Two Israeli officials told Axios they feared Iran could strike first to avoid another surprise attack. Trump said Thursday that Washington was holding "productive discussions" with Tehran, but that the American blockade would remain in effect. He reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
The State Department's security alert, published by U.S. diplomatic missions including the embassy in Jerusalem, urged Americans across the Middle East to "exercise heightened vigilance." It specifically cited Iranian-backed Houthi attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia as hostilities with the potential to escalate rapidly.
The department also warned that Iran and groups supporting it could target U.S. interests and locations associated with Americans worldwide. It advised Americans traveling in the region to prepare for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions.
Topics: Iran, Strait of Hormuz, Yemen & Red Sea
Reported by Bernard Moerdler for Bernie News Network. See our editorial standards and corrections policy.