Iran's IRGC Warns Civilians to Evacuate US Bases Amid Escalating Tensions

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a stark warning on Friday, March 27, 2026, urging residents across the Middle East to evacuate areas potentially housing U.S. military forces due to escalating tensions and the perceived likelihood of strikes against locations believed to host American personnel.

This directive followed the U.S. President's decision just one day prior to extend, for a second time, an ultimatum concerning potential strikes against Iranian vital energy and electrical infrastructure. The IRGC's Public Relations office, in a statement referencing Operation "True Promise 4," declared it the Corps' duty to "eliminate the terrorist American forces and the usurping regime" wherever they are situated, citing alleged indiscriminate killing of Iranian civilians and targeted assassinations.

The statement, addressed to "Noble West Asian nations," explicitly implored civilians to immediately vacate areas where U.S. troops are stationed to avoid potential harm. This escalation coincides with President Trump's extension, on March 26, of the deadline for potential strikes on Iranian power stations by another week and a half. Trump framed this extension as an opportunity for diplomacy, citing "progress" in indirect communications, despite Iran's public rejection of negotiations.

The final warning remains tied to Iran's conduct in the Strait of Hormuz; failure to ease navigation restrictions could trigger attacks on critical energy infrastructure. Trump characterized the extension as a limited concession, not a retreat, maintaining that military action remains an option. Concurrently, the IRGC accused President Trump of issuing misleading statements regarding Tehran allowing passage through the Strait, clarifying that three container ships of various nationalities were turned back after the IRGC Navy warned them away from unauthorized corridors.

The IRGC further asserted that all shipping "to or from" ports linked to allies and supporters of the "American Zionist enemies," regardless of route or destination, is strictly prohibited. This tightening of maritime control in the Strait occurs as U.S. Marine and Rapid Response forces deploy to the region. Reports suggest the U.S. administration is considering deploying an additional 10,000 troops, with 7,000 ground forces already en route to bolster potential military action aimed at neutralizing Iranian capabilities along the Strait's coastlines and adjacent islands.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi amplified the narrative by citing the New York Times, claiming U.S. soldiers are fleeing Gulf state bases to seek refuge in hotels and offices, using local nationals as human shields. He urged Gulf Cooperation Council hotels to adopt measures similar to those taken by American hotels refusing reservations for at-risk officers. Furthermore, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf questioned the U.S. capacity to protect its own soldiers within the region given its perceived inability to secure them in Iran.

On a regional level, a Saudi intelligence source informed The Guardian that Saudi Arabia has urged the United States to intensify its military campaign and is considering direct involvement in the conflict. The source indicated that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman encouraged Trump to expand the military effort as a "historic opportunity" to reshape the Middle East—a sentiment acknowledged by Trump, who referred to the Crown Prince as a "warrior" supportive of the American position. Despite Iran's public refusal to negotiate, the official stance does not currently suggest an imminent diplomatic resolution to the conflict.