Security Reasons, the US Embassy in the UAE Temporarily Closed

JAKARTA - The United States Embassy (Kedubes) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the cancellation of all consular appointments at all its diplomatic missions in the Gulf country for three days, from Monday to Wednesday (15/7).

"The US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the US Consulate General in Dubai have canceled consular appointments for July 13-15, due to the regional security situation," the US Embassy said in a statement quoted by ANTARA from Sputnik.

People who have meeting schedules from Monday (13/7) to Wednesday (15/7), both at the US Embassy in Abu Dhabi and at the US Consulate in Dubai, are asked not to come and will be rescheduled.

"If you have an appointment on those dates, US citizens do not need to come to the embassy or consulate. We will contact you to reschedule," the statement said.

This step was taken in conjunction with the evacuation of non-emergency staff to other countries, reducing the US' ability to provide consular services to US citizens in the UAE. The US Embassy said visa services were still suspended.

The announcement comes amid the latest military escalation between the United States and Iran. After launching several waves of attacks against Iran since its initial operation on Wednesday morning (8/7) last week.

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the attack was in response to Iranian interference with commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran then retaliated by launching attacks on US military bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan.