U.S. evacuations of American citizens from parts of the Middle East have begun, a senior State Department official told Fox News on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
The official said evacuation flights are now underway, and that bus evacuations are being conducted in parts of the region, while declining to name specific countries because of security sensitivities.
The move comes after days of escalating conflict tied to U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, along with Iranian retaliation across the region. With major airports intermittently closed and commercial routes limited, U.S. officials have faced rising pressure to help Americans who cannot depart on their own.
Reuters and the Associated Press reported Tuesday that the State Department is securing military aircraft and charter flights to move U.S. citizens out, and that the department has been in contact with nearly 3,000 Americans seeking help or information about leaving.
What U.S. officials are saying about evacuation flights
Fox News reported that a senior State Department official confirmed evacuation flights are underway, but said the government is withholding country-by-country details to reduce risk. The official also said bus evacuations are underway in parts of the region, suggesting some departures may be occurring overland where air routes remain disrupted.
In a separate public message cited by Reuters and the AP, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Dylan Johnson said the department is “actively securing” military aircraft and charter flights for Americans who want to leave.
That language indicates federal planning and coordination, but it does not automatically mean large-scale airlifts are available across every country affected.
The State Department has not released a public schedule, passenger capacity, or assembly-point guidance for the broader region. Officials have often treated those details as operationally sensitive, especially while missile and drone threats persist around airports and military bases.
