Passengers travelling from about a dozen countries will be barred from carrying most electronic devices on US-bound flights, officials tell US media.

Airlines from certain countries in the Middle East and Africa will require passengers heading to the US to check laptops and tablets in the hold.

The directive is reportedly the result of a security threat and could be announced as soon as Tuesday.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declined to comment on the issue.

“We have no comment on potential security precautions, but will provide an update when appropriate,” DHS said in a statement to the BBC.

It is unclear which airlines would fall under the ban.

But Royal Jordanian Airlines tweeted on Monday that it would ban passengers from carrying on most electronics to and from its North American flights, CNN first reported.

The tweet was later deleted.

The Jordan-based carrier said that starting on Tuesday, it will only allow phones and medical devices on its flights. All other electronics would be “strictly prohibited”.

The airline said that laptops, tablets, DVD players and electronic games must be checked with baggage.