The US State Department has begun charter flights to evacuate Americans from the Middle East as the conflict escalates, with more than 17,500 citizens already returning home amid widespread travel disruptions.
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The US State Department has begun operating charter flights to bring American citizens home from the Middle East as tensions in the region continue to escalate following recent military strikes.
Officials said a US government-chartered flight was already transporting Americans back to the United States, while additional evacuation flights were being arranged from multiple locations across the region.
Authorities did not disclose the number of passengers on the flight or the specific countries from which the evacuees were departing.
Thousands already evacuated
According to the State Department, more than 17,500 Americans have safely returned to the US from the Middle East since February 28, when joint military strikes by the United States and Israel targeted sites in Iran.
Approximately 8,500 of those evacuations occurred on Tuesday alone, reflecting the rapid pace of departures as the conflict intensified.
Officials also said many additional American citizens have left the Middle East for other destinations across Europe and Asia since the start of the crisis.
Travel disruptions complicate departures
Earlier this week, the State Department urged Americans across 14 Middle Eastern countries to leave the region immediately, using available commercial flights.
However, ongoing airspace restrictions and widespread flight disruptions have complicated evacuation efforts, leaving some US citizens struggling to secure travel arrangements.
Evacuation flights from Gulf countries
To address the situation, the State Department said it is facilitating charter evacuation flights from several regional hubs, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
The flights are intended to assist Americans who cannot leave the region through regular commercial routes.
Criticism over the response
The evacuation efforts have drawn criticism from some US lawmakers who argue that the government’s response came too late and lacked adequate planning.
In response, State Department officials said they are actively coordinating transportation and assistance for Americans seeking to leave the region.
The evacuations come as the conflict in the Middle East continues to escalate, raising concerns about the safety of foreign nationals and further disruptions to global travel routes.
