17,500 Americans evacuated from Middle East

Since the outbreak of the conflict with Iran on February 28, 2026, over 17,500 American citizens have returned to the U.S. from the Middle East.

Citing Epoch Times, the State Department has provided assistance to nearly 6,500 Americans abroad, offering security guidance and travel support, though the exact number of government-arranged flights is unclear.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration is rapidly arranging charter flights free of charge and assisting with commercial flight bookings. The effort is part of Operation Epic Fury, aimed at safely returning U.S. citizens from the region.

Travel disruptions are significant, with hundreds of flight cancellations at major airports in the UAE and Qatar, complicating evacuation efforts.

Aytaj