US evacuates Americans from Middle East after 11,000 flights canceled due to conflict
The US State Department is arranging military and charter flights to evacuate Americans stranded in the Middle East after at least 11,000 commercial flights were canceled since Saturday. Priority flights depart from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Americans in these countries must call the State Department hotline at 1-501-4444 or register via STEP immediately to secure seats, as commercial options remain severely limited and embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have closed.
The evacuation follows escalating conflict after US/Israel strikes on Iran Saturday, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio warning “the hardest hits are yet to come.” This article covers which countries qualify for assisted evacuation, how to register, and what limited commercial options remain.
The White House shifted to active evacuation operations on March 3 after nearly 3,000 Americans called the State Department seeking help to leave the Middle East. The move marks a departure from initial guidance to use commercial flights, which became impossible after widespread airport shutdowns following Operation Epic Fury strikes on Iran.
Americans in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan receive priority for government-arranged flights. Those in Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait also qualify for assistance. The State Department has already helped 9,000 Americans depart via commercial or other means, with 1,500 requesting further evacuation support.
Non-essential US personnel have been ordered to leave Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq, and the UAE. US embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia closed entirely. Americans in Israel cannot access direct US embassy evacuation flights and must seek alternative routes.
How the evacuation system works
The State Department prioritizes evacuees based on vulnerability and location. Military and charter flights operate from airports still accepting international traffic, primarily in the UAE and Jordan. Dubai International Airport resumed limited operations with strict approval requirements, while Etihad Airways operates select flights under government coordination.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the US mission could last up to four weeks, with potential troop deployments and continued strikes on Iranian targets. He warned that “the hardest hits are yet to come,” indicating the conflict will intensify before stabilizing.
Commercial aviation across the region remains paralyzed. At least 11,000 flights to and from Middle East destinations were canceled since Saturday due to airspace closures, missile strikes, and drone activity. Airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Saudia suspended most operations pending security clearances.
The State Department confirmed details through its official evacuation coordination channels, which Americans must monitor for real-time flight assignments.
Why this evacuation differs from past crises
Unlike the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal or 2023 Sudan evacuation, this operation faces active combat across multiple countries simultaneously. The State Department cannot guarantee safe passage from all locations, as missile and drone strikes continue to disrupt airspace. Americans in Iraq face additional complications due to Iranian-backed militia activity near Baghdad International Airport.
The March 1 strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities triggered retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region, forcing emergency airspace closures from Kuwait to Oman. Commercial carriers require explicit government approval for each flight, creating unpredictable schedules even at partially operational airports like Dubai.
US travelers in the region now face a choice between waiting for government-arranged flights with uncertain departure dates or attempting commercial routes through third countries like Turkey or Egypt, which remain open but face severe capacity constraints.
What to do if you’re in the Middle East
- Call the State Department hotline at 1-501-4444 immediately to register for evacuation flights from UAE, Saudi Arabia, or Jordan.
- Enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) at step.state.gov to receive flight assignments and security updates via WhatsApp and email.
- Monitor @StateDept on social media for real-time airport status changes; do not go to Dubai International Airport unless contacted directly by Etihad or Dubai Airports.
- If in countries not listed for priority evacuation, contact the nearest US embassy for guidance on overland routes to Jordan or commercial flights through Cairo or Istanbul.
Can Americans in Israel get evacuation flights?
No. The State Department stated Americans in Israel cannot access direct US embassy evacuation assistance and must arrange their own departure through available commercial flights or overland routes to Jordan.
Are the evacuation flights free?
The State Department typically charges for assisted departure flights, though fees may be waived in extreme emergencies. Exact costs will be communicated when flight assignments are made. Payment is usually required before boarding or billed later.
What if I’m a dual citizen or traveling with non-US family members?
US citizens receive priority, but the State Department evaluates immediate family members (spouses, minor children) on a case-by-case basis. Dual citizens must use their US passport to qualify. Non-citizen family members may need to seek evacuation through their own country’s embassy.
How long will these evacuation flights continue?
Secretary of State Rubio indicated the US mission could last up to four weeks, but evacuation flight availability depends on airport access and airspace safety. Register immediately rather than waiting, as capacity is limited and priority shifts based on threat levels.
