By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate,goingplacesfarandnear.com
Americans Stranded by Sudden Onset of Iran War
Hundreds of thousands of Americans found themselves stranded without immediate, clear evacuation plans after airspace closed and flights were cancelled in major hubs including Dubai, Doha, Amman and Tel Aviv. Some 500,000 to 1 million U.S. nationals were living in or visiting the Middle East when the US and Israel launched its attack on Iran on February 28 without warning and without preparation or planning for getting civilians out of harm’s way.
Travelers in a dozen countries were impacted: Israel, Bahrain, Cyprus, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates.
With many Mideast countries lacking a US ambassador, and many embassies closed, they had little support. As of March 7, just 27,000 Americans were able to return home. TheU.S. State Department, which days later set up a telephone number for people to register for assistance, reported having “directly assisted” nearly 13,000 Americans with security guidance or charter evacuation flights.
Ongoing Situation: Thousands remain in the region under a “Depart Now” advisory, with many relying on private groups or commercial flights as they become available. Israel was providing bus transportation to Egypt and Jordan for Americans to connect to flights.
TheU.S. Embassy in Irancontinues to advise remaining citizens to shelter in place or depart by land if it is safe to do so (https://ir.usembassy.gov/security-alert-iran-march-7-2026/).
The State Department was advising U.S. citizens in Iran in need of help to call the State Department at +1-202-501-4444 to receive departure information and assistance, or contact the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland by email [email protected] phone +41-31-357-7011. Since the U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Swiss government, acting through its embassy in Tehran, is serving as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran.
Also, the State Department advised that the Armenian land border at Agarak/Norduz was open. U.S. citizens entering Armenia from Iran need a valid U.S. passport and may stay for up to 180 days visa-free. U.S. dual-nationals who plan to enter Armenia on an American, Iranian or Armenian passport do not require advance approval. Taxis are available from Agarak to surrounding cities and to Yerevan.
The Turkish land border crossings with Iran are open (Gürbulak/Bazargan, Kapıköy/Razi, and Esendere/Serow) for entry by Turkish and third country nationals.
Source: LI Press
