Monday, June 23, 2025

The United States has significantly escalated its efforts to assist American citizens in the Middle East following President Donald Trump’s order for airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The U.S. State Department has doubled the number of emergency evacuation flights from Israel, ordered the departure of nonessential U.S. Embassy personnel in Lebanon, and heightened travel warnings for several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia and Turkey. These measures come in response to increasing fears of retaliation from Iran and ongoing instability in the region.

On Sunday, the State Department issued an urgent notice advising Americans in the Middle East to reconsider travel plans and exercise heightened security awareness. The department emphasized that the region’s security environment had become increasingly volatile and unpredictable following the U.S. military actions.

In response to the escalating conflict, the U.S. government has stepped up its evacuation efforts for American citizens seeking to leave Israel. The State Department has organized multiple emergency flights from Israel to Europe, beginning with two flights that departed for Athens, Greece, on Saturday, June 22. A total of four additional flights were scheduled for Sunday, with a charter flight to Rome planned for Monday. The department reports that 67 American citizens were flown out of Israel on Saturday, with thousands more expected to follow in the coming days.

Simultaneously, a cruise ship carrying more than 1,000 American citizens, including Jewish children on a tour, made its way to Cyprus as part of ongoing evacuation efforts. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has been coordinating these evacuations as part of a broader plan to assist those who wish to leave Israel amidst growing concerns over regional hostilities.

In Lebanon, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut has ordered the departure of all nonessential personnel and their families. The State Department’s advisory highlighted the unpredictable nature of the security situation in Lebanon and urged Americans to exercise caution. While there is no specific mention of evacuation flights from Lebanon, the department recommends using commercial flights if Americans wish to depart the country.

As tensions mount across the Middle East, the U.S. State Department has issued revised travel advisories for Saudi Arabia and Turkey. The department advised U.S. citizens in Saudi Arabia to take extra precautions, particularly around military installations, and limited non-essential travel to such areas. This comes as reports of regional hostilities indicate an increased risk of attacks on U.S. or Western interests in the country.

Meanwhile, in Turkey, the department has urged U.S. personnel to avoid non-essential travel to the consular district in Adana, which includes the NATO airbase at Incirlik. In an updated advisory, the department highlighted the possibility of negative sentiment toward U.S. foreign policy escalating into actions against U.S. and Western interests in Turkey. Americans traveling in Turkey have been instructed to maintain a low profile and exercise caution in light of the volatile situation.

The State Department’s evacuation operations have also been extended to Iraq, where personnel at U.S. diplomatic missions have been gradually departing the country since mid-June. The ongoing evacuation of nonessential staff from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil is part of a broader strategy to streamline operations and ensure the safety of American diplomats.

On June 21 and 22, additional personnel were evacuated from Iraq, continuing a process that began before the strikes on Iran. These evacuations were designed to reduce the number of U.S. officials in the region amid increasing tensions and concerns about possible retaliation by Iranian-backed militia groups operating in Iraq.

As of June 22, more than 7,900 Americans had requested assistance in leaving Israel, with over 1,000 Americans seeking help in Iran. Due to the lack of a U.S. diplomatic presence in Iran, the embassy in Jerusalem and other regional posts have been working to assist American citizens in navigating alternative routes of escape. As of Saturday, more than 200 Americans had entered neighboring Azerbaijan through overland routes, though the exact number of Americans who have successfully left Iran remains unclear.

The U.S. government has also been working to ensure that its embassies and consulates across the Middle East remain secure. Security reviews are ongoing at all U.S. diplomatic posts in the region, with security personnel instructed to assess their posts’ preparedness in light of the growing instability.

The U.S. State Department’s efforts to assist American citizens in the Middle East are ongoing. As of the latest reports, additional evacuation flights from Israel are planned, and American citizens in other countries in the region are being urged to stay informed and exercise caution. The department continues to monitor the situation closely and is prepared to adapt its responses as the security situation evolves.

Travelers and U.S. citizens currently residing in the region are encouraged to stay updated on the latest advisories from the State Department and to contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance if necessary. The State Department’s website remains the primary source of information for American citizens seeking guidance on evacuations and travel safety during this crisis.

For further information and to stay updated on travel advisories, U.S. citizens are encouraged to visit the U.S. Department of State’s official website and follow official government channels.