Foreign Nationals Advised to Exit Lebanon Immediately Amid Rising Regional Tensions

Several countries, including the US, UK, and France, have issued urgent advisories for their citizens to evacuate Lebanon amid escalating regional tensions that raise fears of a broader Middle Eastern conflict.
The US Embassy in Lebanon has advised American citizens to book “any available flight” out of the country. Similarly, Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy has strongly urged British nationals to “leave now.”
This heightened alert comes as the region remains on edge following Iran’s vow for revenge against Israel. The tensions escalated after Israel’s recent strike on Beirut, which killed Hezbollah’s top military commander, Fu’ad Shuk, and the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. These events have heightened fears that the ongoing conflict in Gaza, now in its ninth month, could potentially expand into a larger regional conflict.
Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, is anticipated to play a significant role in any potential retaliation. The group has been involved in frequent exchanges of fire with Israel, including a recent incident where Hezbollah fired 30 projectiles, most of which were intercepted by Israeli defenses.
In response to the escalating situation, many countries have updated their travel warnings. France has advised its citizens to arrange their departure “as soon as possible,” and Jordan has issued a similar warning. Jordan recently engaged in defensive actions against Iranian drones and will see its Foreign Minister visit Tehran for talks on regional issues.
Airlines such as Air France, Lufthansa, and Kuwaiti Airlines have canceled flights to and from Lebanon, while others have rerouted their services to avoid the area.
In a sign of the increasing concern over potential Iranian retaliation, the US has deployed a carrier strike group, a fighter squadron, and additional warships to the Middle East. This deployment marks one of the largest movements of US forces in the region since the early days of the Gaza conflict, signaling a strong stance against any expansion of hostilities.
White House deputy national security adviser Jon Finer emphasized that the US and Israel are preparing for “every possibility,” following the Pentagon’s military enhancements. “All of those posture adjustments are to prepare for a potential response from Iran or any other adversary,” Finer said in an interview on CNN.
In Israel, residents are stocking up on supplies and preparing bomb shelters, with municipal advisories stressing the need to be able to reach shelters within 90 seconds.
As the situation develops, foreign nationals in Lebanon are strongly advised to heed evacuation warnings and seek assistance from their respecti