US has arranged nearly 50 charter flights from Middle East, amid Iran strikes, State Dept says
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People arriving back in the US via a government chartered flight on March 5.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- The US State Department organised almost 50 flights, since February 28, to evacuate US citizens from the Middle East due to conflict with Iran.
- Approximately 47,000 US citizens have returned from the Middle East, primarily via commercial flights, with 32,000 receiving State Department guidance.
- As of March 11, charter flights are being scaled back due to increased availability of commercial options, as a drone struck a US facility in Iraq.
AI generated
WASHINGTON - The Trump administration has organised nearly 50 flights to return US citizens from the Middle East since the US-Israeli war with Iran began, a State Department official said on March 12, and officials said demand for the flights has declined.
The State Department was criticised in the days after the conflict began on Feb 28 for its late preparations to relocate diplomats and offer assistance to US citizens as Iran’s strikes led to airspace closures and flight cancellations across the region.
“By the end of today, we’ll have completed approximately four dozen flights and safely evacuated thousands of Americans from the Middle East on those flights,” said the official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.
The department, which waived the cost of government-assisted flights, has declined to give detailed numbers for how many people benefited from them. The official said that, as of March 12, a total of 47,000 US citizens had returned from the region to the US since Feb 28, mostly on commercial flights, and that the State Department had provided guidance or assistance to thousands of Americans.
“Through the department’s Task Force, we have directly provided security guidance and travel assistance to about 32,000 impacted Americans,” the official said.
“Most Americans who have requested assistance have declined seats when offered, opting to remain in country or take commercial flight options, which offer greater flexibility in terms of destination and luggage,” the official said.
The department said on March 11 it would scale down charter flights and ground transport options because commercial flight availability is improving.
US facilities in the region have continued to be hit by Iran.
A drone struck a major diplomatic facility in Iraq on March 10, amid US warnings that Iran-backed militias in the country may target Americans and US interests. REUTERS
