The U.S. Department of State has launched an emergency 24/7 task force to coordinate the safety of American citizens currently in the Middle East. The move comes in direct response to “Operation Epic Fury” and a series of Iranian attacks targeting Gulf nations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the activation on Monday, emphasizing that the department is surging personnel and resources to provide real-time security updates to those in the region.
“At the Department of State, our number one priority is the safety and the security of American citizens everywhere in the world,” Secretary Rubio stated. He specifically addressed the current volatility, citing “cowardly attacks that we’re seeing from Iran against Gulf countries” as the catalyst for the increased security measures.
The newly formed task force is designed to funnel up-to-the-minute information to citizens living or traveling in affected areas.
To maintain communication with the U.S. government, officials are urging all Americans in the Middle East to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Registration at step.state.gov allows the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to contact individuals directly during an emergency. Rubio noted that this registration is the primary way for the government to reach citizens with critical updates.
In addition to the STEP program, the State Department has established a dedicated WhatsApp channel for security updates, which can be accessed via their official website, travel.state.gov.
For those needing immediate assistance or who have specific security concerns, the department has opened a 24-hour phone line. Americans can reach the State Department at any time by calling +1 202-501-4444.
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