U.S. Temporarily Shutters Some Embassies Over Security Concerns

Closed for business

The United States will close an unspecified number of embassies in countries around the world beginning on Sunday due to security concerns, a State Department spokeswoman said Thursday.

Marie Harf, the deputy spokeswoman for the State Department, told reporters that the step was taken as a "precautionary" measure. She did not provide further specifics on the nature of the threat or which embassies would be forced to shutter for the day.

"The Department of State has instructed certain U.S. embassies and consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday, August 4th," she said, explaining that the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution."