18,000 US citizens escape Middle East on rescue flights
Edited By Emma Yates-Badley
Courtesy: aerotime.aero
Around 18,000 US citizens have escaped the current Middle East conflict and returned home in the past few days, according to the Department of State.
GLOBAL: On March 5, 2026, Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson said over 8,500 US citizens had arrived back in the US on March 3, 2026, alone, while many more had departed for other countries in Europe and Asia.
During a media conference, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: “The Trump Administration will not rest until every American is home safely.”
Additionally, the State Department said it was facilitating charter flights from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan for US citizens.
Late yesterday evening it was confirmed that a government charter flight with US citizens onboard departed the Middle East for the US.
Despite the dangers in Middle East and Gulf most US citizens have left on available intermittent commercial aviation options from countries including Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Egypt.
“Where commercial aviation options remain available, the Department is actively helping American citizens book those tickets. For those in countries lacking commercial aviation availability, the Department is facilitating travel to third countries as conditions allow. That includes increasing ground transportation options for American citizens wishing to leave Israel,” said the Department of State.
The department added that those who are still in the region should register on its website so they can directly identify them and work to charter flights quickly.
“Americans trying to get home from Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, or Qatar: complete this form to request that we contact you with info on U.S. government-facilitated departure options as they become available,” added the Department of State.
Defending its advice to US citizens before the conflict with Iran broke out Leavitt said that since January 2025, the government has advised people to exercise increased caution when travelling to some countries in the Middle East.
Defending its advice to US citizens before the conflict with Iran broke out Leavitt said that since January 2025, the government has advised people to exercise increased caution when travelling to some countries in the Middle East.
The Middle East and Gulf region have been thrown into turmoil since February 28, 2026, after US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered retaliation attacks against non-combatant countries in the area.
Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones against countries including Kuwait, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar, to sew chaos in the region.