The United States has warned that conflict in the Middle East could escalate quickly after Houthi attacks on Riyadh, according to The Hindu. Washington also urged Americans to reconsider travel to the region as tensions with Iran rise.
The U.S. embassy in Israel issued a security alert over the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, The Times of Israel reports. The travel advisory was reported by CNBC, Dawn and The Times of India, which described it as a blanket alert covering the Middle East.
According to The Times of India, U.S. officials said the situation involving Iran has the potential to escalate rapidly. The Hindu reports that Washington fears a rapid escalation in West Asia following the strikes on the Saudi capital.
The advisory applies to the wider region rather than a single country. The reports do not specify which areas are covered or how long the guidance will remain in place.
The alert follows the Houthi attacks on Riyadh, which the reports identify as the immediate trigger for the U.S. warnings. No casualty figures or details of the damage were included in the material available.
The U.S. embassy in Israel issued its own security alert in response to the same attacks, according to The Times of Israel, indicating that concerns extend beyond Saudi Arabia.
What to watch next: whether Washington adjusts the travel guidance further, and whether the Houthi strikes on Riyadh draw a military response that widens the conflict.