US urges all embassies to ‘immediately’ review security measures

The US Department of State has instructed American diplomatic missions worldwide to “immediately” conduct security assessments, citing “the current and evolving situation in the Middle East and its potential implications,” The Washington Post writes.

According to the report, embassies are required to convene meetings of Emergency Action Committees (EACs), multidisciplinary groups tasked with identifying threats, planning responses, and reviewing their overall “security position.” The cable was signed by Marco Rubio.

Since the start of the US and Israel military campaign, multiple American embassies have been targeted by Iran and its allies. Several missions have been temporarily closed, and US personnel have been ordered to leave a number of countries.

While most threats have been focused on US presence in the Middle East, several incidents of violence have also been reported elsewhere, including gunfire outside the US consulate in Toronto and an explosion near the US embassy in Oslo.

The State Department said that the “timing and frequency” of EAC meetings are determined by a range of operational considerations and “do not necessarily indicate a new or specific threat.”