State Department organizing flights for Americans fleeing Middle East
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Passengers observe flight closures due to escalating strikes in Middle East in New Delhi, India on March 1. Photo: Kabir Jhangiani/NurPhoto/Getty Images
The State Department is organizing military aircraft and charter flights for American citizens who want to leave the Middle East as the conflict with Iran widens.
The big picture: For days, the Trump administration told thousands of stranded Americans to book commercial flights despite airports suspending operations after many were hit by strikes.
Yes, but: The State Department on Tuesday advised Americans to call a hotline at 1-202-501-4444 to request immediate assistance in an emergency, but the automated message currently says the U.S. will not help those seeking evacuation.
- "Please do not rely on the U.S. government for assisted departure or evacuation at this time," the automated line said. "There are currently no United States evacuation points."
- The State Department press office referred Axios to a Tuesday press release, but did not directly respond to a request about the hotline message.
- The statement suggested the department has answered nearly 3,000 calls from Americans wishing to evacuate the Middle East and is currently facilitating flights from United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.
Driving the news: Beyond the hotline, the State Department encouraged Americans to sign up for updates from their nearest U.S. embassy and follow the agency on social media for the latest information.
- Americans in 14 countries and two Palestinian territories in the Middle East were advised to leave immediately due to "serious safety risks."
- The agency also urged non-essential government personnel and their families to leave Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates.
- As strikes continue in the region, the U.S. embassy closed facilities in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
- Those unable to leave should shelter in place, per the State Department.
Of note: When asked Tuesday why there was no evacuation plan for Americans in the Middle East prior to the Iran strikes, President Trump said "it all happened very quickly."
- He added the U.S. needed to strike quickly because Iran was "getting ready to attack Israel" and other countries.
State of play: Airports in Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi were closed as of Monday after Iran retaliated with strikes on U.S. allies throughout the region.
- Airports in Tel Aviv, Israel and Bahrain also suspended flights.
- Other major U.S. airlines, including United and Delta, temporarily halted flights to some Middle East destinations, as have various other international carriers.
Go deeper: Iran conflict snarls air travel: Americans urged to exercise caution
Editor's note: This story was updated with a response from the State Department press office.
