US securing military, charter flights to evacuate Americans from Middle East: Official

WASHINGTON

The US State Department said Tuesday it is securing military and charter flights to evacuate Americans from the Middle East.

"The Department is facilitating charter flights from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan for American citizens, and will continue to secure additional capacity as security conditions allow," it said in a statement.

It came one day after the department urged Americans to depart from several countries in the Middle East, citing “serious safety risks.”

"In the past several days, over 9,000 American citizens have safely returned from the Middle East, including over 300 from Israel," it said.

Noting that commercial aviation options remain available in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Egypt, the agency said it is facilitating travel to third countries "as conditions allow" for those in countries lacking commercial aviation availability.

"That includes increasing ground transportation options for American citizens wishing to leave Israel," it said.

So far, the department has answered calls from nearly 3,000 Americans in the Middle East, per the statement.

Since Saturday morning, Israel and the US have carried out strikes on Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and many top security officials.

Iran, in response, launched drone and missile attacks on Israel and US assets in the region, prompting many Gulf states to close their airspace.