Americans stranded in Middle East told not to rely on US evacuation helpline

State Department faces criticism as automated message offers no evacuation despite war-time departures push

Americans trying to leave the Middle East are unable to get help from the US State Department, as a phone call to their helpline gives an automated message advising people to "Please do not rely on the US government for assisted departure or evacuation at the time."

Earlier today, ABC News Chief Johnathan Karl stated that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told news organisations to put the 24/7 State Department helpline for assistance to leave the Middle East; however, Karl made a video showing that "There is no help for Americans trying to get out of the Middle East."

“Please do not rely on the US government for assisted departure or evacuation…”

That’s the message you get when you dial the State Department’s emergency number that Marco Rubio urged Americans stuck in the Middle East to call today - 202-501-4444 pic.twitter.com/KF19iWoIIX

— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) March 4, 2026

Part of the automated voice recording says, "There are currently no United States evacuation points... Please continue to check the embassy's website for updated information."

🚨 Americans in the Middle East who need consular assistance can call the U.S. Department of State 24/7 at [phone]. pic.twitter.com/ikpIeH1ss9

— Department of State (@StateDept) March 2, 2026

 

US facilitating charter flights

A day earlier, the United States said it had started facilitating charter flights from several countries in the Middle East for US citizens stranded in the region, as Washington's joint military strikes with Israel on Iran have severely disrupted global air travel.

The move came four days after the US-Israeli air war on Iran began, prompting heavy criticism from US lawmakers that the State Department was late in warning Americans to leave the region and that this showed poor planning and “incompetence.”

US Representative Ted Lieu stated on a post on X that "it was an absolute dereliction of duty that the Trump Administration didn’t have a plan in place to get Americans out of danger."

It’s an absolute dereliction of duty that the Trump Administration didn’t have a plan in place to get Americans out of danger. https://t.co/i87hFzUAQw

— Rep. Ted Lieu (@RepTedLieu) March 3, 2026

"The Department is facilitating charter flights from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan for American citizens, and will continue to secure additional capacity as security conditions allow," the Department said in a statement.

Assistant Secretary for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson also said the Department was "actively securing military aircraft" for Americans who wished to leave the Middle East, but did not elaborate.

Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there were about 1,500 US citizens who requested assistance with departure and that the Department was working to identify charter flights and military flight options while speaking with airlines to send bigger aeroplanes with more seats.

On Monday, the Department urged Americans across 14 countries in the Middle East to immediately depart the region using "available commercial transportation" without offering any US-government-vouched means.

The US Embassy in Jerusalem, in a statement, said it was unable to offer assistance to Americans trying to leave, although an official later said assistance was being offered.

The scramble has triggered accusations and criticism from US lawmakers.

Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, the top Democrat on the subcommittee that oversees State Department spending, told Reuters: "President Trump said the biggest surprise is that Iran retaliated against our assets and partners, but that expected retaliation was the administration's stated reason for our attack. The result is that Americans are stuck and in danger."

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office earlier on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said, "It all happened very quickly," referring to the war with Iran, when asked why there were no plans to evacuate US citizens.

"American taxpayers are forced to give Israel $3.8 BILLION every single year, and here is our own US embassy in Jerusalem telling Americans good luck getting out, you are on your own," former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who resigned from Congress after a split with Trump, said in a social media post.

"The betrayal is unbelievable," she said.

 

With additional input from Reuters