US and Western Embassies Warn Citizens to Shelter in Place Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

The United States embassy in Qatar issued a warning on Monday, advising American citizens to “shelter in place” amid heightened regional tensions following threats from Iran to retaliate against US strikes on its nuclear facilities. Other Western nations, including Britain and Canada, soon echoed the advisory as fears of escalation grew.

Qatar, located just 190 kilometers (120 miles) south of Iran across the Gulf, hosts the US’s largest regional military base, Al-Udeid. The US embassy’s statement on its website urged Americans to stay indoors “out of an abundance of caution” until further notice.

Similarly, the UK Foreign Office announced that British nationals in Qatar should also shelter in place, citing the US security alert. “Following a US security alert for US nationals in Qatar, out of an abundance of caution, we recommend that British nationals in Qatar shelter in place until further notice,” the department said on Monday.

Iran’s armed forces threatened to inflict “serious, unpredictable consequences” on the US following recent heavy strikes on its nuclear sites. The escalating rhetoric has increased regional anxieties.

In Bahrain, which hosts the US Fifth Fleet, the embassy has temporarily shifted some staff to remote work. Bahraini authorities had already instructed most government employees to work from home due to “regional circumstances,” further indicating rising tensions.

Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, Majed Al-Ansari, stated that the embassy warnings “do not necessarily reflect the existence of specific or credible threats.” He reassured the public that “the security situation in the state remains stable” and emphasized Qatar’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate regional tensions.

The US State Department, on Sunday, advised Americans worldwide to “exercise increased caution” amid the ongoing war between Israel and Iran. Following Israel’s initial strikes on Iran on June 13, the US embassy in Qatar previously advised staff and Americans to “exercise increased caution” and to “limit non-essential travel” to Al Udeid Air Base.