Level 3 Issued Amid Houthi Attacks

The United States Department of State updated its travel advisory for Saudi Arabia to Level 3 — meaning U.S. citizens are urged to reconsider travel — on Monday, October 12, 2026. Areas within 20 miles (about 32 kilometers) of the Yemen border were set at an even stricter Level 4, or 'Do Not Travel'.

The update came amid a series of missile and drone attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen. Over the past week, strikes hit King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and the headquarters of oil giant Saudi Aramco. A weekend attack killed 13 people and injured more than 300 in the Riyadh airport's departure terminal, according to Reuters. Hostilities between the U.S. and Iran have themselves been ongoing since February 28, 2026.

Ban on Photographing Missile Interceptions

This warning contains a special rule rarely seen in travel advisories: 'Do not photograph, film, or share information about missile or drone interceptions or impact sites.' The State Department noted that U.S. citizens have been detained for photographing recent incidents.

The government stressed that all visitors are fully subject to local law while in Saudi Arabia, and the U.S. government cannot guarantee release if its citizens are detained. 'If you break laws in Saudi Arabia – even by mistake – you could be deported, fined, imprisoned, or subject to an exit ban,' the warning reads.

Airports and Flights Tightened

U.S. government employees stationed in Saudi Arabia must now obtain special permission from the Chief of Mission to use any airport in the country. Civilians are urged to be extremely cautious when flying to or from Saudi Arabia due to the risk of further attacks, sudden cancellations, and airspace closures.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) advising U.S. airlines to exercise caution in Saudi airspace until December 10, while the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) expanded its conflict-zone warning. Commercial flights are still operating, though frequently disrupted.

Social Media Also Closely Monitored

The travel advisory also warned about online activity. Several U.S. citizens have been detained over past social media activity, including posts made while outside Saudi Arabia — from posts and reposts to likes deemed critical of the government or its leaders. Local cybercrime and terrorism laws can be used to prosecute, with sentences reaching 45 years in prison.

In addition, the Saudi government has imposed exit bans on several U.S. citizens, preventing them from leaving the country — in some cases even after sentences have been served.