The 23 most dangerous countries for US travelers in 2026, according to the State Department

The US State Department gave American citizens traveling abroad a serious warning this week.

As the Iran War continues in the Middle East, the department issued a warning to Americans worldwide, recommending increased caution amid a “complex security environment” that might result in “unforeseen escalation.” “Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions,” the department wrote.

It also noted that US diplomatic facilities outside the Middle East have been targeted, and that Americans throughout the world might be at risk of being targeted by groups associated with or supportive of Iran.

The war has pushed up oil prices and heightened security concerns, while some airlines have canceled, postponed, or rescheduled routes.

The US State Department ranks 23 countries around the world at travel advisory level four, or “do not travel,” due to risks such as terrorism and kidnapping.

The advisory lists in countries like the US and the UK often overlap, although they’re not identical.

Historical and cultural ties, proximity, and level of familiarity may all play a role in shaping these lists, Alan Fyall, a professor of tourism at the University of Central Florida, told Business Insider. “All countries will rank destinations slightly differently,” Fyall said For some of the “do-not-travel” countries, the US has suspended embassy operations, making it difficult for the US to assist travelers when they’re in trouble, which is part of the reason the warnings can be stringent, Fyall said. “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 in some countries, such as near the Thailand-Malaysia border, the Western Desert in Egypt, or parts of Israel.

While some risk-takers travel to these countries for a thrill, others go to visit family or for business reasons. “Some people think the perceived risk is overstated,” Edward Dramberger, a University of South Carolina tourism and hospitality professor, told Business Insider.

For those who travel to level-four countries, the US State Department often offers routine advice, including staying aware of your surroundings, keeping your travel documents on hand, drafting a will before travel, creating a plan to leave the country without the aid of the US government, and monitoring local news for emergency situations.

Nations and regions can change travel advisory levels on the US’ list based on changing circumstances, but these are the 23 countries the State Department considers “do-not-travel” zones as of July 24, 2026.