The U.S. State Department confirmed that military aircraft and charter flights are actively working to bring Americans home from the Middle East, as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran continues to shut down airports and disrupt travel across the region.
The department said more than 9,000 Americans have safely left the Middle East since the conflict began over the weekend, many without government help. About 3,000 others remain in direct contact with the State Department, and roughly 1,500 people in the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have formally asked for assistance to get home.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that some evacuation flights have faced serious setbacks. “We’ve had a couple instances in which we have planes in the air, and on the way, and unfortunately, the airspace gets closed, and they have to turn back around,” Rubio told reporters on Capitol Hill.
Assistant Secretary of State Dylan Johnson posted on X that the department is “actively securing military aircraft and charter flights” for citizens wishing to leave. In countries where airports or airspace remain closed, the State Department said it is also organizing overland travel routes to Egypt and Oman, where flights are still available.
At least eight countries have had their airspace shut down since hostilities began on February 28, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Israel. Airports in Qatar, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi were closed as of Monday (March 2) after Iran launched retaliatory strikes on U.S. allies throughout the region.
Dubai’s main airport sustained partial damage from a suspected strike Saturday. Smoke was also seen rising from a U.S. base near an airport in Irbil, Iraq, and two drones struck the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, causing a “limited fire.” U.S. embassies in Kuwait, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia remain closed.
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar posted on X Monday urging Americans in 14 countries across the region — including Iran, Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, the Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen — to “DEPART NOW” using any available commercial transportation.
However, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued a stark warning Tuesday, saying it is “not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist” Americans leaving the country. The embassy told Americans to “make your own security plans,” while noting, “The U.S. government cannot guarantee your safety.”
When asked Tuesday why there was no evacuation plan before the Iran strikes began, President Trump said “it all happened very quickly.”
Americans in the region can contact the State Department at any time by calling 1-202-501-4444. The department also urges citizens abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at step.state.gov and to follow @TravelGov on social media for the latest updates.
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