After an overnight attack on a bank, Iranian officials signaled a new willingness to target economic centers and banks with ties to the United States.
The ordered departure of U.S. employees in the kingdom indicates that senior diplomats are bracing for a possible surge in violence in the war with Iran, officials say.
Drone and missile attacks have caused high anxiety across the region, but experts say the danger to commercial airliners is “fairly remote.”
The flight was arranged and paid for by the State Department, officials said, as part of the evacuations of citizens stranded by attacks in the Middle East.
Thousands of guests on at least six ships await evacuation in the Gulf region. With government help slow, MSC, the world’s third-largest line, took matters into its own hands.
Many veteran diplomats faulted the State Department for its response after the attacks in Iran began, and for its actions beforehand.
Even far from hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the disruptions from the growing violence have left people jumping “from one cancellation to the next.”
Only 12 returnees were allowed to cross the newly reopened border with Egypt on the first day, far fewer than the expected number.
Deadly blasts, including one that may have been caused by a gas leak, raised anxiety in the country. “Society is waiting for war,” one Iranian said.
Thousands of Palestinians are waiting to be evacuated for medical treatment as the border between Gaza and Egypt looks set to reopen in the coming days.