Cairo: US embassies in around 10 Middle Eastern countries on Saturday urged American citizens to exercise caution and "consider departing or be prepared to depart should there be escalation" amid heightened tensions in the region.
The US embassies in countries including Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia issued similar security alerts on their websites, reports Xinhua news agency.
"Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation," the alerts said, advising US citizens in the region to consider departing or be prepared to leave should the situation escalate.
The embassies also urged American citizens in the Middle East to exercise caution and maintain heightened vigilance, warning them to be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures and potential travel disruptions.
US citizens outside the region were further advised to "seriously reconsider travel to and through the Middle East."
Earlier on Saturday, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran had prepared an "extensive" plan to respond to potential attacks on Iranian infrastructure.
Citing a senior security official, Tasnim reported that Iran had drawn up the plan in response to recent claims in US media about possible US and Israeli strikes on Iranian infrastructure. The reported plan includes targeting vital Israeli infrastructure as well as US energy infrastructure in the Middle East.
The developments came amid renewed exchanges of airstrikes between the United States and Iran following several days of pause, alongside the emergence of a new Red Sea front involving Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
On February 28, the United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting US and Israeli bases and assets across the region, while tightening its control over the Strait of Hormuz.
With IANS inputs