The US embassy in the Gulf state of Bahrain urged Americans to “remain in isolation” and said embassy staff had been ordered to self-isolate.
This is stated in a message on the website of the US Embassy in Bahrain.
The US embassy said that Iran “intends to attack” American universities in Bahrain.
“The U.S. Embassy in Manama has ordered all U.S. government employees to remain in isolation. We recommend that all Americans in Bahrain do the same until further notice. To the extent possible, stay in a secure building and stay away from windows,” the statement said.
The US embassy also urged Americans to leave the country, including on commercial flights. If they remain in Bahrain due to circumstances, they should be prepared to seek refuge in a safe place.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump recalled that the deadline for his ultimatum to Iran was coming to an end, and stated that “an entire civilization will perish tonight if Tehran does not unblock the Strait of Hormuz.”
Trump threatened to destroy all bridges and power plants in Iran by midnight, as well as take other measures that would have devastating consequences for the Iranians and provoke a dangerous response throughout the region.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is a state comprising a group of islands in the Gulf between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Israeli and US military operation against Iran
On February 28, Israel attacked the Iranian capital Tehran. US President Donald Trump later said that the US military had launched a “major combat operation” against Iran to “eliminate imminent threats from the Iranian regime”. He accused the Iranian government of “funding and training” militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Hamas in Palestine. According to him, the aim of the military operation is to “destroy Iran's missile industry and navy” and “ensure that the world cannot be destabilised”.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it had launched missiles and drones towards Israel, and also attacked US military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Amid the US military operation against Iran, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Paris is calling for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council.
The European Union said it reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment to ensuring regional security and stability” in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was fair to give the Iranians a chance to get rid of “the terrorist regime and guarantee the security of all peoples who have suffered from attacks from Iran.”
On February 28, Trump announced that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was dead, a claim later confirmed by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
On March 1, the IRGC announced that it was launching “the most devastating offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and “American terrorist bases.” Trump called on the Iranian regime to abandon these plans and threatened to strike “a very strong blow” in response.
On March 2, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the next phase of the US military operation against Iran would be even more destructive.
On March 6, Trump declared the need for a complete change in Iran's leadership, adding that he already had several candidates for the role of “a good leader.”
On March 8, Iran's Assembly of Experts elected the son of the assassinated Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the third supreme leader of the Islamic Republic.
Trump declined to comment on the election of Mojtaba Khamenei, saying only: “We'll see what happens.” Before that, the American president said that the new leader of Iran “won't last long” if he doesn't receive the approval of the White House.
On March 26, US President Donald Trump announced that he was suspending the destruction of Iranian energy facilities until April 6. According to him, he made this decision at the request of the Iranian government, and negotiations are ongoing.