Trump calls Strait of Hormuz 'something that we don't need'

The State Department said it would begin scaling down charter flight and ground transport options to help regular American citizens leave the Middle East due to dwindling demand.

Consular officers have reached nearly 9,000 Americans in the UAE about charter flights, but flights departing the country on Wednesday still left with some empty seats, Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said in a statement.

More than three dozen of these flights had been carried out, safely transporting thousands from the region, Johnson said.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston

A fire that broke out at Abu Dhabi International Airport after debris fell due to an air defense interception is now under control, according to UAE officials.

The UAE said earlier that it was intercepting missile attacks and incoming drones originating from Iran on Wednesday.

Iran and its proxy groups "may be planning to target U.S.-owned oil and energy infrastructure in Iraq," the U.S. State Department warned Wednesday.

Other critical energy sites in the country have already been hit during the course of the conflict. Iraq's crude oil production has already dramatically dropped in recent days, according the Iraqi Oil Ministry.

"Iran-aligned terrorist militias have also targeted hotels frequented by Americans throughout Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region," the State Department said.

-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston

Hezbollah launched missiles toward several parts of Israel on Wednesday, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

"The IDF will not tolerate any harm to Israeli civilians and will forcibly respond against any threat posed to the State of Israel," the IDF said in a statement.