US Advises Immediate Departure of Nationals from Middle East
The United States government has urged its citizens to promptly leave most countries in the Middle East due to "serious safety risks" amid the expanding conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran.
On Monday, the US State Department issued guidance recommending that Americans "depart now via commercial means" from a list of countries including Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
Despite the advisory, Washington has not yet organized formal evacuation operations in the region. Many commercial flights have been cancelled or suspended since the US and Israel initiated strikes against Iran on Saturday.
In response, Iran has launched missile and drone attacks targeting Middle Eastern countries allied with the United States.
Estimates suggest that between 500,000 and one million US nationals reside in the Middle East. However, exact figures are unavailable as American citizens are not required to register with US authorities upon relocating abroad.
US citizens have been encouraged to monitor "the latest security updates" through nearby US embassies and consulates, which have also provided hotlines for assistance with departures from the region.
US Embassy in Jerusalem Provides Limited Assistance
The US embassy in Jerusalem stated on Monday that it "is not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel," and announced it would be closed on Tuesday.
"It is not in a position at this time to evacuate or directly assist Americans in departing Israel." - US Embassy in Jerusalem
Subsequently, the embassy noted that Israel had "begun operating shuttles to the Taba Border Crossing [with Egypt]," but cautioned that the embassy "cannot make any recommendation (for or against) using it."
France and UK Prepare to Support Nationals in the Region
On Tuesday, France announced readiness to repatriate its most vulnerable citizens from the Middle East. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot informed the country's BFM TV broadcaster that both commercial and military flights could be utilized for this purpose.
Approximately 400,000 French nationals are believed to be present in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, on Monday, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged all British citizens in the region to register their presence to enable the government to provide "the best possible support."
So far, around 102,000 Britons have registered their presence in the Middle East with the UK government.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told the BBC that there are an estimated 300,000 British citizens in the region. She indicated that many of those currently unable to leave are holidaymakers, transit passengers in the Gulf, or individuals on business visits.
"Many of those trapped were holidaymakers, passengers transiting through the Gulf or people on business visits." - Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper
The UK government has previously employed registration schemes to provide urgent updates to citizens affected by international crises; however, the scale of the current situation, involving numerous countries and a large number of people, is unprecedented.
If it is safe to do so, individuals are encouraged to get in touch by following the relevant government link for assistance.
