WASHINGTON: The United States on Tuesday said it was pulling out non-essential personnel from several US missions across the Middle East and advised American citizens to immediately leave the region, even as air travel remains severely disrupted due to the US-Israeli military operation on Iran. The State Department announced that it had ordered the departure of non-emergency US government personnel and their family members from US embassies in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Jordan. Similar measures have already been taken for US missions in Lebanon and Israel. It has also on Monday urged American citizens across 16 countries in the Middle East to leave now using "available commercial transportation". The US Embassy in Jerusalem said it was unable to offer assistance to Americans trying to leave.
"You told Americans to depart now via commercial means when you know many airports/airspace are closed," Congressman Ted Lieu wrote in an X post and said Washington must immediately schedule US government evacuation flights for the stranded Americans. The US-Israeli air war against Iran, which started on Saturday, has already sent shockwaves around the world, disrupting energy supplies and sending global air transport into chaos.
Overnight, Iranian drones struck the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia. As Washington presses ahead with one of the most consequential military actions in recent history, the United States lacks Senate-confirmed ambassadors across many countries in the region including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Algeria and the UAE.
Major Gulf aviation hubs, including the world's busiest international airport, Dubai — which normally handles over 1,000 flights a day — remained closed for a fourth day on Tuesday, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded. Ticket prices have soared. "The US Embassy is not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel," the embassy said in an X post. It reiterated that Washington cannot ensure the safety of this route. "The US Embassy cannot make any recommendation (for or against) the Ministry of Tourism’s shuttle. — Reuters
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