- The State Department issued a worldwide caution for U.S. travelers.
- Officials warn groups supporting Iran could be targeting locations outside the Middle East.
- Military strikes from the U.S. and Iran continued Tuesday.
Amid the ongoing conflict with Iran, the State Department has issued a worldwide caution for U.S. travelers, urging those going abroad to exercise increased vigilance for all destinations, especially those in the Middle East.
The March 22 alert advises international travelers to follow the latest guidance issued by the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate and warns periodic airspace closures may cause travel disruptions.
State Department officials say U.S. diplomatic facilities, including those outside the Middle East, have been targeted and note that groups supportive of Iran may target U.S. interests overseas as well as locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world. Those planning travel can find detailed information, including the latest security alerts, at travel.state.gov/destination.
In addition, Delta Air Lines has suspended all flights to Israel until June 1 amid the war with Iran. United Airlines did the same until June 15.
On Monday, President Donald Trump announced a five day pause on U.S. military strikes targeting Iranian energy facilities amid “productive” talks aimed at ending the conflict that began, according to the president, over the weekend.
“I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday. “BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WHICH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.”
But some Iranian officials denied that peace negotiations were happening and on Tuesday, with thousands more U.S. Marines on their way to the Gulf and both sides firing barrages, the war’s tempo remained high, according to a report from the Associated Press.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf called the idea of negotiations “fakenews” — and an Iranian military spokesman issued a newly defiant statement, per AP.
“Iran’s powerful armed forces are proud, victorious and steadfast in defending Iran’s integrity, and this path will continue until complete victory,” Iranian state television quoted Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi as saying Tuesday.