Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: On the fourth day of the ongoing US-Israel war against Iran, America on Tuesday ordered its non-emergency government personnel and their family members to leave Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq and Jordan and closed several diplomatic missions across the volatile region as tensions with Iran escalated.
Also, a day after stating that the ongoing war could continue for a month or so, President Donald Trump, on Monday, informed Congress about the US strikes in Iran, justifying his decision, even as Iran attacked several US facilities across the region.
On Monday, he told cnn that a “big wave” is yet to come in the war with Iran, and that Washington did not know who the country’s new leader would be after the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“We haven’t even started hitting them hard. The big wave hasn’t even happened. The big one is coming soon,” Trump said.
Reports suggested that many senior US officials remain skeptical the military operation against the Islamic Republic will lead to a regime change in the near term.
Meanwhile, the US Mission to Saudi Arabia was closed on March 3 following a drone attack, with Americans in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran asked to continue sheltering in place, the media reported on Tuesday.
The US Embassy in Kuwait said it would remain closed until further notice, and all regular and emergency consular appointments were cancelled.
In Israel, the US Embassy said it was not in a position to evacuate or directly assist Americans seeking to leave the country and advised citizens to make their own security plans.
The measures come as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran widens across the region, prompting heightened security precautions at US diplomatic facilities and restrictions on non-essential travel to military installations.
Trump notifies US Congress
Meanwhile, President Trump on Monday sent an official letter to Congress about the US strikes against Iran, where he justified military action, reported Fox News.
He said the strikes were conducted at his direction on February 28 to protect US interests, ensuring free flow of maritime commerce via the Strait of Hormuz and for the collective self-defense of regional allies, including allies.
“At my direction, on February 28, 2026, United States forces conducted precision strikes against numerous targets within Iran including ballistic missile sites, maritime mining capabilities, air defenses, and command and control capabilities. These strikes were undertaken to protect United States forces in the region, protect the United States homeland, advance vital United States national interests, including ensuring the free flow of maritime commerce through the Strait of Hormuz, and in collective self-defense of our regional allies, including Israel,” Trump wrote.
No United States ground forces were used in these strikes, and the mission was planned and executed in a manner designed to minimize civilian casualties, deter future attacks, and neutralize Iran’s malign activities.
He recalled the Operation Midnight Hammer Undertook by the US last year and said that despite its success, Iran continued to seek and employ nuclear weapons.
“It’s array of ballistic, cruise, anti-ship, and other missiles pose a direct threat to and are attacking United States forces, commercial vessels, and civilians, as well as those of our allies and partners,” he said.
In his statement, Trump slammed Tehran for “malign behavior” despite his administration’s repeated efforts to achieve a diplomatic solution. He mentioned that while the US desires “quick and enduring peace,” it is yet to be determined how long the full scope of the military operations will last.
“United States forces remain postured to take further action, as necessary and appropriate, to address further threats and attacks upon the United States or its allies and partners, and ensure the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran ceases being a threat to the United States, its allies, and the international community,” he said.
Trump said he shared the report in accordance with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148) and expressed appreciation to the support of Congress in the actions.
“I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect Americans and United States interests both at home and abroad and in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests. I acted pursuant to my constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief and Chief Executive to conduct United States foreign relations,” the letter added.
Responding to the joint American-Israeli strikes, Iran retaliated by launching ballistic missiles and drones at US assets and allies across the region, including Saudi Arabia, Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan, further widening the conflict and heightening risks for civilians and expatriates alike.
World leaders and international bodies are currently urging de-escalation as the risk of a wider regional conflict grows, though fighting continues without a clear end in sight.
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