The US Department of State said nearly 24,000 Americans have returned home from the Middle East since conflict broke out with Iran on February 28.
Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson stated this in a statement published on the department’s website on Friday.
Johnson said these did not include the many Americans who have safely relocated to other countries or those who have departed the Middle East but are still in transit back to the United States.
“The Department continues to proactively call American citizens to offer charter flight or ground transport travel assistance.
“Several flights have safely returned hundreds of Americans to the United States with additional flights scheduled to take place over the coming days, as security conditions allow.
“Commercial flight availability across the region continues to improve with commercial options available in most of the region,” the statement reads in part.
Americans in Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel in need of travel assistance were directed to complete a crisis intake form that would enable them directly receive information about upcoming charter aviation and ground transportation options.
READ ALSO: Trump vows no peace with Iran before ‘unconditional surrender’
Meanwhile, the US-Israeli war on Iran entered its second week on Saturday.
Today’s major highlight remains Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian issuing a public apology to Gulf neighbours that have suffered missile and drone strikes emanating from Iran.
He said Iran’s interim leadership council approved Friday that neighbouring countries would no longer be attacked, unless an attack on Iran originated from their territory.
Pezeshkian also derided a call by US President Donald Trump for Iran’s unconditional surrender, calling it a “dream they should take to their grave.”
