**Excerpt:** The U.S. State Department has advised Americans to exit 14 Middle Eastern countries due to escalating safety risks amid the ongoing Iran conflict.
Key Points
– **Evacuation Advisory**: The U.S. State Department has urged American citizens to leave Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
– **Charter Flights Available**: The department is facilitating charter flights from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan for Americans needing to evacuate.
– **Emergency Personnel Departure**: Non-emergency U.S. government personnel and their families have been instructed to leave several Middle Eastern countries.
– **Embassy Closures**: Four U.S. embassies have closed operations, including those in Beirut and Kuwait, due to heightened regional tensions.
– **Civilian Casualties**: Since the conflict began, over 1,000 civilians in Iran have reportedly been killed, alongside six U.S. military casualties.
Full Article
U.S. State Department Advisory
The U.S. State Department has issued a warning for American citizens to leave 14 countries in the Middle East due to serious safety risks stemming from the escalating Iran war. The advisory was released late Monday, advising Americans to “depart now” from the following countries: Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. A source indicated that over a million Americans may currently be in the region.
Evacuation Measures
Initially, U.S. citizens were urged to use available commercial transportation to exit these countries. However, on Tuesday, the State Department announced it would facilitate charter flights for Americans from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. The department is proactively reaching out to U.S. citizens to offer them seats on these flights, with over 120 staff members available at the 24/7 call center to handle inquiries.
The State Department is also assisting Americans in booking commercial flights where available, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman, and Egypt. For those in countries without commercial flight options, the department is working to facilitate travel to third countries as conditions permit.
Impact of Conflict on U.S. Embassies
As tensions rise, four U.S. embassies have closed and suspended consular services. The embassies in Beirut and Kuwait announced on Tuesday they would remain closed indefinitely due to ongoing regional tensions. The embassy in Kuwait faced direct threats after smoke was reported from the mission following Iranian attacks.
Additionally, the embassies in Saudi Arabia and Jerusalem were closed on Tuesday after drone attacks targeted U.S. facilities, causing limited damage but no American casualties.
U.S. Military Involvement
The conflict intensified when the U.S. and Israel began military operations against Iran, with President Trump describing it as a decisive action against Iran’s missile capabilities and nuclear ambitions. Reports indicate that six U.S. troops have died since the conflict’s escalation, and over 1,000 civilian casualties in Iran have been reported.
American Citizens Stranded
Many Americans are struggling to leave the region amid airport and airspace closures, leading to frustration with the government’s response. Some citizens have reported feeling trapped, with flights canceled and limited options available for safe travel.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, confirmed that the embassy was receiving numerous requests for assistance in evacuating American citizens currently in Israel.
As of now, the State Department has successfully facilitated the safe departure of approximately 9,000 Americans from the Middle East since the conflict began.
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