US embassies and consulates in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan issued security alerts in recent days, warning that persistent Middle East tensions and a complex regional security environment leave open the possibility of further escalation.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on the 19th that, following recent attacks on Saudi Arabia, Turkey will honor the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement and may provide Saudi Arabia with military-technical assistance. He said signatories are closely monitoring Houthi attacks from Yemen and condemned strikes on oil infrastructure, adding Saudi requests for aid would likely be technical areas Turkey can meet. Fidan dismissed claims the pact’s substantive progress has been slow.

20:00 Beijing time, Sept. 20: at Camp David for administrative duties. Times TBD: depart Camp David for Sterling, Virginia; arrive Sterling; depart Sterling for the White House; arrive the White House.