Image: Al Jazeera English X @AJEnglish
By Open Chronicle Staff March 11, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. State Department confirmed Tuesday that more than 40,000 American citizens have been successfully evacuated from the Middle East since the outbreak of major hostilities on February 28. The massive logistical undertaking represents one of the largest and most rapid emergency repatriations in modern American history.
Department spokesperson Matthew Miller detailed the scale of the operation during a press briefing, noting that the “unprecedented” effort has utilized a combination of chartered commercial flights, military transport, and sea routes to move civilians out of harm’s way as the regional conflict intensifies.
UPDATE from @ASDylanJohnson:
“Since February 28, over 32,000 American citizens have safely returned to the United States from the Middle East… Through the State Department’s 24/7 Task Force, we have directly assisted over 19,000 Americans abroad”
More: https://t.co/twaBirqhD1
— Tommy Pigott (@StateDeputySpox) March 8, 2026
A REGION IN FLIGHT
The evacuation began in earnest following the launch of “Operation Epic Fury,” the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign against Iranian targets. As retaliatory strikes hit U.S. bases and interests in Iraq, Jordan, and the Gulf states, the State Department issued a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory for the entire region, urging all private citizens to depart immediately.
According to the latest data:
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Total Repatriated: Approximately 41,500 citizens.
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Primary Hubs: Evacuations have been concentrated in Lebanon, Iraq, and the United Arab Emirates.
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Methods: Over 120 chartered flights have landed at processed “safe havens” in Europe and Northern Africa before continuing to the United States.
“STILL THOUSANDS REMAINING”
Despite the high number of departures, officials warn that thousands of Americans remain in the region, either by choice or due to logistical hurdles. “Our priority remains the safety of every American citizen,” Miller stated. “We are working around the clock to ensure that those who wish to leave have the means to do so, but the window of opportunity is narrowing as commercial airspaces remain volatile.”
The evacuation has not been without peril. Reports indicate that several transport hubs have faced delays due to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz and GPS interference affecting civilian flight paths across the Levant.
DOMESTIC IMPACT
The sudden influx of tens of thousands of citizens has put a strain on major U.S. arrival hubs, including Dulles International and JFK. Federal agencies, alongside NGOs like the Red Cross, have established processing centers to provide medical care, temporary housing, and onward travel assistance for families who are often left with only the clothes on their backs.
As the geopolitical situation remains fluid, the State Department has reiterated its plea for any remaining citizens to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive the latest security updates and evacuation instructions.