US places Iraq at top of four-tier travel risk advisory

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — The US State Department has updated its four-tier travel advisory system, placing Iraq, Russia, Ukraine, Iran and Syria in the highest-risk category, Level 4, which urges American citizens to avoid travel to those countries. Germany, France, Italy and Sweden were kept at Level 2, where travelers are advised to exercise increased caution around tourist areas, transportation hubs, crowded venues and major events. Egypt, Morocco and India were also assigned to Level 2. Switzerland, Austria, Portugal, Poland and Norway were classified at Level 1, described as the safest category, alongside El Salvador, Zambia and Senegal. Under the State Department's tiered framework, Level 1 advises normal precautions, Level 2 calls for increased caution, Level 3 urges reconsidering travel, and Level 4 directs citizens not to travel. The updated list reflects the department's assessment of security conditions worldwide.