Washington, July21 (SANA)TheUS Department of Statehas issued a worldwide security alert urging American citizens around the globe to exercise caution and remain vigilant amid escalating tensions in theMiddle Eastand concerns over a possible deterioration in the security situation.

In astatement quoted by Agence France-Presse on Tuesday, the department said that“the security environment remains complex,” warning of the possibility of an unexpected escalation due to ongoing developments in the region.

The State Department urged US citizens to follow official security guidance and take necessary precautions, stressing that US authorities are closely monitoring developments and will update security recommendations when needed.

The statement added that the possibility of attacks targeting US diplomatic facilities, locations linked to the United States, and American citizens invarious parts of the world has increased, without providing further details about the nature or locations of the potential threats.

The warning comes  as tensions continue to rise in the region following the US military’s announcement on Monday that it had launched a new wave of airstrikes against Iran.

US PresidentDonald Trumpalso threatened thatIranwould “pay the price”over the killing of American soldiers in the Middle East, saying he had instructed military leaders to take retaliatory measures “many times over,”after Washington announced that the death toll among US troops had risen to 17in recent days.

The United Statesand Iran had signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18 aimed at ending the conflict, before tensions escalated again during the first week of July after the United States carried out strikes against Iran in response to attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

On July 8, President Trump announced the termination of the memorandum of understanding between the two sides.