The U.S. Department of State Issued a Rare Global Warning

The U.S. Department of State recently issued a rare security alert for all Americans to exercise caution while traveling abroad.

On Sunday, June 22, just one day after the U.S. bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran, the Department of State posted a notice on its website stating that the “conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East.” It also noted that there’s a potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests to occur abroad, and that American travelers should exercise “increased caution.

It then directed travelers to its country-by-country advisory page, which provides in-depth details about destinations and their perceived safety around the globe. However, it’s critical to note that this global advisory differs from the department’s “do not travel” warnings.

As Travel + Leisure previously reported, the Department of State issues advisories for nations around the globe based on four levels to help travelers understand and assess the potential risks involved in visiting specific destinations. The first level means to take normal precautions, Level 2 means to exercise increased caution, Level 3 means to reconsider traveling to that destination, and Level 4 means “do not travel.” There’s a lot of nuance between each of these levels, and determinations are often based on diplomatic and logistical conditions, rather than on-the-ground limitations.

There’s an array of safety information for all kinds of trips available on the Department of State’s “Traveler Information” page, including specific safety tips for women travelers, students studying abroad, those with dual nationality, and cruise ship passengers. It may be a good idea to check it out before you book your next vacation. 

However, the Department of State wasn’t the only agency to send out an alert on Sunday. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also issued a similar bulletin, which isn’t set to expire until September. The notice warned that “low-level cyber attacks against U.S. networks by pro-Iranian hacktivists are likely.” It also added that the likelihood of “violent extremists” organizing and mobilizing in the U.S. could increase if a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence were issued.

In light of the new global advisory, you might want to take certain steps to mitigate your risk. While abroad, stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded places, and always have an emergency backup plan. Before you leave, consider registering with the free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to get up-to-date health, weather, safety, and security information about the country you’re traveling in. The program also allows the Department of State to be able to quickly contact you in case of an emergency.

As Gene Petrino, co-owner of the security consulting business Survival Response LLC, previously shared with T+L, a bit of risk could be okay—if you take the right precautions.

“Travel advisories are just one input,” Petrino said. Monitor local news, talk to hotel staff, and stay flexible. And most importantly, trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.”