US: "Jordan Orders Evacuation of Aqaba Airport and Port... Visits Should Be Avoided"

The United States Embassy in Amman, Jordan, announced on July 19 (local time) that Jordanian authorities had issued an evacuation order for the international airport and port in the Aqaba region on the Red Sea.

The U.S. Embassy stated this through its official account on X (formerly Twitter), adding, "This is based on specific and credible threats."

Aqaba, Jordan, viewed from southern Israel. Photo by EPA, Yonhap News Agency

The embassy further urged, "All U.S. citizens should refrain from traveling to the airport or port in question," and requested that visits to military bases in Jordan also be avoided.

The Gulf of Aqaba is surrounded by Jordan, Israel, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, and connects to the Red Sea. Recently, there have also been raised concerns that Iran might deploy Yemen’s Houthi rebels throughout the Red Sea area.

The embassy's statement reflects growing caution in response to intensified military clashes between the United States and Iran, and increased retaliatory airstrikes by Iran targeting U.S. assets in the Middle East. On July 17, Iran attacked Jordan with ballistic missiles and drones, resulting in the deaths of two U.S. soldiers, one missing, and at least four people injured.

However, Jordanian authorities have denied issuing an evacuation order for the airport and port. According to the state-run Petra News Agency, Jordanian government spokesperson Mohammad Al Momani stated, "No evacuation order has been issued for Aqaba airport and port," affirming that both facilities are operating normally.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.