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By Dan Gooding
Associate News Editor
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The U.S. State Department said Tuesday that it had authorized the use of $40 million in emergency funds to help bring American citizens back from the Middle East due to the Iran war.
The cash comes from a fund usually reserved solely for diplomatic and consular staff, officials familiar with the matter told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
In an announcement, Assistant Secretary Dylan Johnson said over 40,000 U.S. citizens had been safely returned home since the start of the conflict just over a week ago.
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Is the US Flying Citizens Home From the Middle East?
Johnson said demand for seats on U.S. charter flights was below available capacity, with flights operating at around 40 percent occupancy. So far, over two dozen charter flights have flown Americans home.
"Most Americans who have requested assistance have declined assistance when offered, opting either to remain in country or book more convenient commercial flight options," Johnson said in his statement.
Despite this, Johnson said charter flights and ground transportation were continuing under the State Department's direction. The assistant secretary said that 27,000 Americans have received security and travel guidance.
The Trump administration had faced criticism for what some saw as a lack of action to evacuate Americans from the region as the conflict spread.
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Travel Warnings for U.S. Citizens
The Trump administration has advised Americans to leave 14 countries in the Middle East, including Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain.
That warning was issued two days after the war began, with airspace closed and flights canceled, making it difficult for U.S. citizens to act on the advice.
Such criticism is not new for the State Department, with similar concerns during the 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan under former President Joe Biden, and the beginning of the Iraq War under former President George W. Bush.
Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. government issued an updated security alert for Americans in Iran, urging them to remain vigilant. The statement, published by the Virtual Embassy Tehran, advised those who remain in the country to shelter in place.
The alert cautioned that U.S. nationals in Iran faced significant risks of questioning, arrest, and detention, and that showing a U.S. passport or connections to the United States could be a sufficient reason for detention by Iranian authorities.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday would mark the “most intense day” of U.S. strikes on Iran, even as global markets rallied on President Donald Trump’s suggestion that the war could be “over soon.”
This article contains reporting by The Associated Press.
Update 3/10/26, 4:03 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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