US citizens in the Middle East face 'mayhem' trying to get home

March 4, 2026

American and Canadian citizens traveling or living in the Middle East are struggling to evacuate as escalating conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran destabilizes the region. The US State Department has issued departure advisories for 14 countries and promised military and charter flights, but travelers report chaotic airport conditions, canceled flights, no helpful guidance, and rapidly increasing ticket prices. While approximately 9,000 Americans have successfully returned home in recent days, around 3,000 remain in contact with authorities seeking assistance, and between 500,000 to one million US nationals reside in the affected region.

Who is affected

American citizens traveling or living in 14 Middle Eastern countries (Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, and Yemen)
Canadian citizens in the Middle East region (over 85,000 registered)
Specific individuals mentioned: Krista Jucknath Hickman and her husband Mike (Florida residents stranded in Dubai), former Army Major General Randy Manner (stuck in Dubai airport), Harsheet Kummaraguntla's mother (trapped in Doha), Greg Arnold (consultant in Riyadh with visiting parents), and Nathan Devereaux (NGO worker in Beirut)
Approximately 3,000 American travelers currently in contact with the State Department
Between 500,000 and one million US nationals living in the Middle East

What action is being taken

The US State Department is securing military and charter planes to evacuate American citizens
The State Department is in contact with 3,000 travelers
Charter flights are being arranged from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan
Canada's foreign minister has asked Oman for airspace access for potential evacuations
President Trump is encouraging Americans to register online with the State Department
Some travelers are finding their own alternative routes (such as the couple who hired a $1,000 driver to cross into Oman)

Why it matters

This situation represents a major regional crisis affecting hundreds of thousands of Western citizens caught in an escalating military conflict between major powers. The difficulties in evacuation reveal significant logistical challenges in crisis response, with citizens reporting inadequate support systems, communication failures, and infrastructure breakdowns despite government assurances. The scale of the conflict—spanning 14 countries with travel advisories and involving airspace closures—demonstrates how quickly regional stability can collapse, potentially trapping civilians far from home. For the estimated half-million to one million Americans living permanently in the region, this crisis creates uncertainty about their long-term safety and whether temporary evacuation means permanent displacement.

What's next

Charter flights will become available to evacuate Americans from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan
Commercial flight options are expected to become "increasingly available as time goes on," according to President Trump
Nathan Devereaux and his girlfriend have a flight booked out of Lebanon in a few days

Read full article from source: BBC