US embassies say they cannot evacuate Americans in parts of the Middle East
Mar 3rd 2026
After US and Israeli strikes on Iran triggered regionwide retaliatory attacks, multiple US embassies said they cannot help Americans evacuate and urged citizens to use commercial or private travel options while making contingency plans.
- US embassies in Jerusalem and Qatar explicitly told Americans they are unable to evacuate or directly assist departures.
- The State Department has advised Americans to depart Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the UAE, and Yemen.
- Many US embassies across the region have suspended normal operations or have staff sheltering in place.
- The US and Israel struck Iran on Saturday, and Iran then launched retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region targeting military bases and some diplomatic and civilian sites.
- Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar have closed airspace, and commercial flights are limited or suspended in parts of the region.
- Travelers are using private jets, long land border crossings, and the limited commercial options that remain to leave, creating bottlenecks at some borders and airports.
- Embassies advised Americans who stay to make contingency plans and warned they cannot guarantee safety for departures arranged by other governments or services.