Tens of thousands of people, including tourists, diplomats’ family members, and religious pilgrims, remain stranded across the Middle East as the conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel intensifies.
Major airlines have canceled flights to and from the region, while airspace across the Gulf remains closed. Some travelers are sheltering amid airstrikes, while others are stuck on cruise ships unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. State Department urged Americans to leave more than a dozen countries in the Middle East due to escalating risks. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar urged citizens in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel to “DEPART NOW” using any available commercial transport.
The U.S. has evacuated non-emergency personnel and families from six nations, adding the United Arab Emirates to its list Tuesday. Americans in Israel were advised to leave via Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, as Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv remains closed. Embassy staff in Israel are sheltering in place while assisting evacuation requests.
Governments worldwide are mobilizing to repatriate their citizens. Italy helped Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and his family return from Dubai after criticism for traveling during the crisis. Germany is organizing charter flights to bring home roughly 30,000 tourists stranded on cruise ships, in hotels, or at airports. France is facilitating the return of an estimated 25,000 French citizens visiting the region, among 200,000 living there.
Some travelers have begun reaching home safely. Romanian Orthodox pilgrims stranded in Israel returned to Bucharest on Tuesday after cutting short a trip to Bethlehem. Mariana Muicaru, a pilgrim, described the fear: “We called our children at 3 a.m. to ask forgiveness because we might die and to tell them we love them.”
British tourists trapped in the UAE also arrived safely in London, while another flight from Dubai landed in Belgrade with roughly 200 passengers. Passengers said they received urgent alerts to move away from windows due to potential missile attacks.
The disruptions highlight the broader chaos caused by the Iran war, which has severely impacted air travel, shipping, and regional safety. With airports closed and maritime routes blocked, thousands remain in limbo, waiting for flights or safe passage out of the conflict zone.
Officials continue to coordinate with airlines, foreign governments, and local authorities to expedite evacuations and ensure the safety of stranded travelers as the situation in the Middle East remains volatile.