US Uses Emergency Funds for Middle East Evacuations

The United States State Department has approved the use of emergency funds to help evacuate American citizens from the Middle East as travel disruptions continue due to the ongoing Iran war.

According to US officials, up to $40 million from an emergency fund has been authorized to pay for charter flights transporting Americans out of the region. The fund is normally reserved for urgent situations involving US diplomatic and consular staff.

Officials confirmed the use of emergency funds but did not reveal the exact amount being spent. In a statement, the State Department said it currently has sufficient funding to continue evacuation efforts and will work with Congress if additional financial support becomes necessary.

Under US law, American citizens who receive government evacuation transportation are usually required to reimburse the government. However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio waived this requirement last week, allowing Americans to leave the region without paying for the charter flights.

The evacuation efforts come amid criticism from some lawmakers and travelers who say the State Department did not prepare adequately for the conflict involving the United States and Israel in Iran. The department issued travel warnings advising Americans in 14 Middle Eastern countries to leave the region two days after the war began, as many airports faced closures and widespread flight cancellations.

The State Department said that since the start of the Iran war on February 28, more than 40,000 Americans have returned to the United States from the Middle East. Most of them traveled on commercial flights without government assistance.

To support evacuation efforts, the department has arranged more than two dozen charter flights, helping thousands of US citizens travel from different Middle Eastern countries to the United States or Europe.

However, officials said many Americans who asked for assistance later declined the government’s evacuation options. Out of more than 27,000 people who contacted the department for help, many chose to stay in the region or book commercial flights that better suited their travel plans.

The State Department also said that available seats on charter evacuation flights currently exceed demand, with the flights operating at less than 40% occupancy on average.

US authorities continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East and remain ready to assist American citizens who wish to leave the region.