The U.S. Has Issued ‘Serious’ Travel Warnings for 4 Countries
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
US Issues Do Not Travel Warning ‘For Any Reason’ To This Country
The warning cites terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the US government’s limited ability to provide emergency services to American citizens in Iraq. The US government uses the following four-level system to help travelers assess international safety risks.
In the warning released on Wednesday, June 11, the State Department emphasized, “Do not travel to Iraq for any reason.”
The warning cites terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest, and the US government’s limited ability to provide emergency services to American citizens in Iraq as the reasons for the warning.
State Department Advisory Levels
To help travelers assess international safety risks, the US government uses the following four-level system:
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Level 4: Do Not Travel
You can check the latest updates at travelmaps.state.gov.
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The U.S. Has Issued ‘Serious’ Travel Warnings for 4 Countries
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. The U.S. State Department has issued a number of travel warnings in June, but only four have risen above the standard Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions level. India is perhaps the most notable country on the list. The warning was updated due to crime. The Dominican Republic can be a popular travel destination for Americans, too. However, it’s been increased to a Level 2: Exercise Increased Precautions warning. Mozambique was previously Level 3. You can view the full list of travel advisories here. The State Department issued four “serious” travel warnings for four countries in June: Israel, India, the Dominican Republic and Mozambiques. The travel warnings range from Level 1 to Level 4: Do Not Travel.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience.
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what’s in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways
The U.S. State Department has issued a number of travel warnings in June, but only four have risen above the standard Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions level.
The United States regularly updates its list of travel warnings in the State Department database. The travel warnings range from Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions to Level 4: Do Not Travel.
In June alone, we’ve had 10 travel warnings updated on the state department’s website. However, only four of them have risen above the Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions level.
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The U.S. State Department is warning against travel to four notable countries in the month of June.
Airport in Bali. (Photo by SONNY TUMBELAKA / AFP) (Photo by SONNY TUMBELAKA/AFP via Getty Images) SONNY TUMBELAKA/Getty Images
The U.S. State Department has issued four “serious” travel warnings in June:
Israel: Level 4, Do Not Travel
Dominican Republic: Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution
India: Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution
Mozambique: Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution
India is perhaps the most notable country on the list. The U.S. issued the travel warning due to “crime and terrorism. Some areas have increased risk.”
The U.S. State Department issued the following warning for those traveling to India:
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Rape is one of the fastest growing crimes in India.
Violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations.
Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They target:
The Dominican Republic can be a popular travel destination for Americans, too. However, it’s been increased to a Level 2: Exercise Increased Precautions warning.
The warning was updated due to crime.
“Violent crime is a concern in the Dominican Republic despite more police presence in areas often visited by tourists. Do not display wealth and be wary of meeting individuals from online in secluded locations,” the alert states.
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The U.S. issued the following safety tips:
Pay attention to your surroundings.
Do not carry or wear valuable items that will attract attention.
Be vigilant about where your phone is and avoid using it openly on the street.
If robbed, hand over your personal belongings without resisting.
Travel with a partner or group if possible.
Do not leave food or drinks unattended.
Mozambique was previously Level 3.
“Updated to reflect change in overall travel advisory level from 3 to 2 due to decrease of election related protests, and addition of Niassa Special Reserve to Do Not Travel section,” the State Department announced.
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“Exercise increased caution when traveling to Mozambique due to health issues, crime, civil unrest, and terrorism. Some areas have greater risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.”
You can view the full list of travel advisories here.
The U.S. Has Issued ‘Serious’ Travel Warnings for 4 Countries first appeared on Men’s Journal on Jun 22, 2025
Level 4 ‘Do not travel’ warning issued for Middle Eastern country, kidnappings among concerns
A Level 4 travel advisory is the most serious on the State Department’s four-tier scale. The advisory notes the agency has already ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Iraq. The warning says those who choose to go to Iraq should not travel near armed groups or Iraq’s northern borders. The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq has threatened that anyone caught illegally crossing the Iraq-Syria border faces up to 10 years in prison.”U.S citizens in Iraq face high risks, including violence and kidnapping,” the warning says.
“U.S. citizens in Iraq face high risks, including violence and kidnapping. Terrorist and insurgent groups regularly attack Iraqi security forces and civilians. Anti-U.S. militias threaten U.S. citizens and international companies,” reads a portion of the warning.
Related story: Newest travel warning says Americans have been kidnapped, ransomed in this country
The advisory states terrorism attacks can occur in major cities at any time and may involve improvised explosive devices, indirect fire, and unmanned aerial vehicles. The warning says those who choose to go to Iraq should not travel near armed groups or Iraq’s northern borders due to:
Continued threat of attacks by terrorist groups.
Armed conflict.
Aerial bombardment.
Civil unrest.
Visitors are also warned not to travel through Iraq to engage in armed conflict in Syria. The Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq has threatened that anyone caught illegally crossing the Iraq-Syria border faces up to 10 years in prison.
U.S. government personnel remaining in Iraq to live and work are required to use armed security and are prohibited from using Baghdad International Airport over safety concerns.
Americans who choose to ignore the warning are advised to:
Establish a personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization or consider consulting with a professional security organization.
Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them for identification purposes.
Have departure plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance.
Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return to the United States as planned.
A Level 4 travel advisory is the most serious on the State Department’s four-tier scale.
The 22 most dangerous countries for US tourists
The U.S. State Department lists 22 countries as “do-not-travel” zones as of June 2025. The risk of terrorism, kidnapping, and other dangers is higher in some countries than others. The US and UK also issue warnings for specific areas of some countries, such as near the Thailand-Malaysia border or the Western Desert in Egypt. Some risk-takers travel to these countries for a thrill, others visit for family or business.
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Accidents and injuries can happen anywhere, but the US government warns that the risk of terrorism, kidnapping, and other dangers is higher in some countries than others. That’s why it lists some as level-four, advising that Americans should not travel to them.
“All countries will rank destinations slightly different,” Alan Fyall, a professor of tourism at the University of Central Florida, told Business Insider. While they frequently overlap, the US and the UK don’t have identical lists, for example. Historical and cultural ties, proximity, and level of familiarity may all play a role in shaping these lists, he said.
For some of these countries, the US has suspended embassy operations. That makes it difficult for it to assist travelers when they’re in trouble, and that’s part of the reason the warnings can be stringent, said Fyall.
“Do you really want to go and rescue your citizens from a country that, really, they’re not that advised to go to in the first place?” he said.
The US and UK governments also issue warnings for specific areas of some countries, such as near the Thailand-Malaysia border or the Western Desert in Egypt.
While some risk-takers travel to these countries for a thrill, others visit for family or business. “Some people think the perceived risk is overstated,” Edward Dramberger, a University of South Carolina tourism and hospitality professor, told BI.
Nations and regions can move up and down the US’ list, but here are 22 countries the State Department considers “do-not-travel” zones as of June 2025.
US issues travel warnings ahead of summer vacation for multiple countries
Travel advisory urges travelers to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program for receiving alerts and make it easier to locate them in an emergency. It also advised citizens to be sure to check the CDC website and purchase a travel insurance. Travellers can check the advisory for individual countries on the official website. A level one Travel Advisory is for exercising normal precautions and is the lowest advisory level, indicating minimal risk.
It advises travellers to enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). It also advised citizens to be sure to check the CDC website and purchase a travel insurance. Travellers can check the advisory for individual countries on the official website.
Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
Switzerland, Japan, Paraguay, Czechia, The Kyrgyz Republic, Kuwait, El Salvador
Level 2: Exercise increased caution
Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Peru, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Philippines, Uruguay, Cuba, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Morocco, Serbia, Ghana
Level 3: Reconsider travel
Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Papua New Guinea, Burundi, Uganda, Bangladesh, Colombia
Level 4: Do not travel
Somalia, Venezuela, Burma (Myanmar), Russia, North Korea, Burkina Faso
A level one Travel Advisory is for exercising normal precautions and is the lowest advisory level, indicating minimal risk, although travellers should remain aware that conditions abroad may differ from those in the United States. Level 2 is for increased caution, suggesting heightened risks in certain areas, with specific concerns detailed in the advisory. While level 3 is related to serious safety and security threats. Finally, level 4 represents do not travel, the highest advisory level, issued when there are life-threatening risks. In such cases, the U.S. government may have limited or no capacity to assist citizens.
Overall, the US state department urged travellers to take the following steps:
Source: https://www.mensjournal.com/travel/the-u-s-has-issued-serious-travel-warnings-for-4-countries