U.S. warns Americans of Middle East travel disruptions

The U.S. Embassy urged Americans across the Middle East on October 18 to exercise heightened vigilance, warning of possible flight cancellations and airspace closures amid regional hostilities and potential threats to U.S. interests worldwide. The advisory told travelers to monitor airline and airport information and prepare contingency plans. It said Iran or groups aligned with Tehran might target American citizens, businesses and institutions overseas, including locations beyond the Middle East. The warning was issued by U.S. diplomatic missions in the region, according to the reports, which largely repeat the embassy guidance. The U.S. mission in Saudi Arabia separately reported missile and drone attacks targeting airports in the kingdom. Its advisory said operations at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh were suspended, while airports in Jeddah and Dammam remained open with delays and cancellations. The airport reports and operational status were conveyed through U.S. embassy guidance and were not independently documented in the supplied accounts. The mission said U.S. government employees in Saudi Arabia needed special authorization to use airports after the...