The U.S. Department of State has instructed American diplomatic missions worldwide to immediately reassess their security posture, citing escalating tensions in the Middle East and the growing risk of spillover attacks linked to Iran.
According to an internal cable obtained by The Washington Post, all U.S. embassies and consulates have been ordered to convene Emergency Action Committees (EACs) — interagency groups tasked with evaluating threats and coordinating response measures — and to review current security conditions without delay.
The directive was signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and issued under the authority of Under Secretary for Management Jason Evans. While similar instructions had recently been limited to missions in the Middle East, this marks the first time such measures have been expanded globally in response to the intensifying conflict.
The State Department declined to comment in detail on the leaked document, calling the disclosure of internal communications “inappropriate.” However, officials emphasized that EAC meetings are a standard component of risk management and emergency preparedness protocols.
The move comes amid a surge in attacks targeting U.S. diplomatic facilities, attributed to Iran and affiliated groups, following the launch of a joint U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in late February. In response, several American missions have been temporarily closed, and personnel have been withdrawn from multiple countries.
Among the most serious incidents was a drone strike on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which caused significant structural damage, including partial roof collapse and smoke contamination.
Although most threats have been concentrated in the Middle East, isolated incidents have also been reported elsewhere. These include gunfire near the U.S. consulate in Toronto and an explosion in the vicinity of the U.S. Embassy in Oslo, underscoring concerns about a widening security risk beyond the immediate conflict zone.
The global directive reflects mounting fears within Washington that the confrontation with Iran could evolve into a broader, more unpredictable security crisis with international implications.
