US State Department says over 32,000 Americans have come back from Middle East

The US State Department says in an updated toll that 32,000 Americans have returned to the country from across the Middle East since the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28.

The tally does not include those who have relocated to other countries or those who are en route back to the US, posts Dylan Johnson, the US assistant secretary of state for global public affairs.

The US has urged its citizens to use the scant commercial flights available to get out of the region, but according to Johnson has also operated almost two dozen charter flights. The US government faced criticism in the war’s opening days for not having a plan in place to evacuate its citizens.

There are thought to be hundreds of thousands of US citizens across the Middle East. Johnson writes that the US is increasing the pathways Americans can take to exit the region, while adding that some have turned down government-sponsored options.

“While commercial flight availability across the region continues to improve, Department of State charter flight and ground transport operations continue to ramp up, as security conditions allow,” he writes.

“At this time, more than half of American citizens who requested help departing turn down U.S. Government-provided transportation options when contacted. Some American citizens wish to remain in country, while others prefer an alternative departure option,” he adds.