US urges Americans in Saudi Arabia to shelter in place amid increased threat from Iran conflict

The State Department sent out a notice Tuesday to Americans in Saudi Arabia, urging them to shelter in place as it monitors "reports of threats against locations where American citizens gather," amid an ongoing conflict in the Middle East. 

The notice comes after the department issued a worldwide "caution" alert to Americans overseas last week because of the regional conflict between the U.S. and Israel versus Iran.

The U.S. and Israel began the weeks-long conflict late last month, which resulted in the death of former Iranian Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated against the U.S. and Israel by hitting American bases in the region and the U.S. warned Iran could expand its efforts to impact U.S. facilities in other countries.

"We are tracking reports of threats against locations where American citizens gather," the State Department posted on X. "We advise U.S. citizens that hotels and other gathering points including U.S. businesses and U.S. educational institutions may be potential targets. 

"The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh has directed all U.S. government employees to shelter in place," the department continued. "We recommend all Americans in Saudi Arabia do the same until further notice. To the extent possible, remain in your residence or another structure, and stay away from windows."

The warning also comes as multiple international airlines suspend some flight operations to Riyadh and Dammam, another Saudi Arabian city, through at least April. Lufthansa has suspended some of its flight operations in Saudi Arabia's major cities through Oct. 24.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.