Over 36,000 Americans returned from Middle East since Feb. 28: State Department

WASHINGTON

More than 36,000 American citizens have safely returned to the US from the Middle East since Feb. 28, when the Iran war began, the US State Department said Monday.

In a statement, Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Dylan Johnson said the department has carried out more than two dozen charter flights and evacuated thousands of Americans from the region.

While commercial flight availability across the region is improving, the department said charter flight and ground transportation options remain in operation.

“Seats available on the Department’s charter options are significantly greater than the demand from Americans in the region,” Johnson said, adding that many US citizens continue to leave using commercial flights.

Through the department’s 24/7 task force, officials said they have directly assisted more than 23,000 Americans abroad by providing security guidance and travel assistance.

The department urged US citizens in Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel who need help leaving the region to complete its crisis intake form.

The report comes amid a series of US and Israeli strikes on Iran that began on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,200 people so far, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls, and senior military officials.

Iran has retaliated with barrages targeting US bases, diplomatic facilities, and military personnel in the region, as well as multiple Israeli cities. At least seven US service members have been killed.