On Tuesday, the US State Department issued a global warning to Americans against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East. “The security situation remains complex, with the possibility of an unexpected escalation,” she said in a statement, calling on Americans in the region to be cautious and prepare for the possibility of flight cancellations. This warning comes in conjunction with the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announcement of the end of the latest round of strikes on Iran yesterday evening. It explained that the strikes targeted military command centers, naval capabilities, missile launch sites, drones, and air defense systems, with the aim of undermining Iran's ability to attack commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. She stressed that American forces are “ready to hold Iran accountable” for what she described as “unjustified aggression” against civilian shipping.