BREAKING: U.S. State Department issues security alert to Americans across the Middle East The State Department is warning Americans to exercise heightened vigilance as regional tensions rise, citing the potential for rapid escalation, flight cancellations, airspace closures and major travel disruptions. The alert specifically points to Iranian-backed Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports, and warns that Iran and its proxies could target U.S. interests, businesses and locations associated with Americans overseas. Americans outside the Middle East are being urged to seriously reconsider travel to or through the region.