After several weeks in which hostilities between the United States and Iran appeared to subside, there are growing questions about whether the conflict could flare up again. Several governments in the Middle East are taking precautionary measures amid fears of renewed violence. Iran says it has received intelligence that the US is preparing fresh bombing raids, and a series of recent developments suggests Washington may be gearing up for another large-scale operation.
Tensions are building ahead of this week’s UN General Assembly in New York. President Donald Trump cut short a weekend stay at the Camp David presidential retreat on Sunday, without giving an official reason. The State Department also issued a new security alert for all US citizens in the Middle East. Speaking to a Fox News reporter, Trump said the US was keeping all options open and that “very big things” would happen “very soon.” He said the options under consideration include destroying Iran completely, collapsing its economy, or reaching a deal.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a warning of its own. It said that if the US attacks, it will carry out sustained, effective and intense strikes, with no exceptions, on American bases and interests across the region.
Washington has also issued a fresh travel advisory on Iran, urging Americans not to travel there under any circumstances and telling those already in the country to leave immediately. The US Virtual Embassy in Iran warned that the security situation is complex and could deteriorate further, with possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions. It said border-crossing rules at Iran’s land borders could change without notice, and advised travelers to check entry requirements in advance. It also urged Americans across the Middle East to stay alert and monitor conditions at airports, airlines and border checkpoints. In the event of air strikes, it advised staying away from windows and glass doors, taking cover from falling debris, and following official updates.
Before the Iran advisory, the US mission in Saudi Arabia had already tightened restrictions. It now requires government employees to obtain special permission for official or personal travel to Taif and Yanbu, reportedly because of security concerns over attacks by Houthi rebels. The US regards the Houthis as an Iran-backed proxy group. Taken together, Trump’s cut-short retreat, the regional security alert, his remarks about “very big things,” the new Iran travel advisory and the added Saudi restrictions are being read as five signals that Washington may be preparing for further action.