U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio has disclosed that approximately 9,000 Americans have been evacuated from the Middle East since war erupted between the United States and Iran, as Washington intensifies efforts to move its citizens out of the conflict zone.
Rubio, speaking with journalists on Tuesday, said the U.S. State Department had been executing emergency evacuation plans for the past three days using a mix of charter flights, military aircraft and expanded commercial travel options.
“For the last 72 hours, the State Department has been actively implementing our evacuation plans to help Americans depart the region,” Rubio said.
He added that while thousands had already been moved to safety, more citizens were still seeking assistance.
“As of now, about 9,000 Americans have successfully left the region, and roughly 1,500 others have contacted us requesting help with departure,” he stated.
Rubio explained that evacuation operations have been complicated by frequent airspace closures and attacks on critical infrastructure, forcing some flights to turn back mid-journey.
“We have had instances where aircraft were already in the air, only for airspace to suddenly close, requiring them to return,” he said, noting that the U.S. continues to explore alternative routes.
He urged Americans still in the Middle East to register their locations with U.S. authorities, stressing that timely communication is critical.
“It is extremely important that we know where you are and how to reach you,” Rubio said. “As travel windows open, we need to be able to coordinate quickly.”
According to him, land evacuations into neighbouring countries remain an option if airports remain inaccessible.
Rubio also confirmed that a drone strike occurred near a U.S. diplomatic facility in Dubai, but said no American personnel were harmed.
“A drone struck a parking area adjacent to the chancellery and caused a fire, but all U.S. personnel have been accounted for,” he said.
He warned that U.S. embassies across the region are facing heightened security threats as the conflict escalates.
“Our diplomatic facilities are under direct threat from a hostile regime,” Rubio said.
On the military front, the secretary reaffirmed Washington’s objectives in the conflict.
“Iran cannot be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon, and it cannot hide behind a massive ballistic missile arsenal,” he said.
Rubio added that U.S. Central Command is actively targeting Iran’s missile launch capabilities, production infrastructure and naval assets.
“CENTCOM is systematically degrading their missile systems, launchers and naval capacity,” he stated.
US evacuates 9,000 citizens from Middle East amid Iran war
