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Foreign Policy

Americans Stranded in the Middle East Are Having a Hard Time Getting Help From the State Department

“Please do not rely on the U.S. government for assisted departure or evacuation,” a State department hotline said when NOTUS called Tuesday afternoon.

Marco Rubio

Evelyn Hockstein/AP

By Anna Kramer and Torrie Herrington

March 3, 2026 02:13 p.m.

Updated: March 3, 2026 02:13 p.m.

Editor’s note: The Trump administration has updated its tools for Americans trying to evacuate the Middle East. Read the latest reporting from NOTUS.

The Trump administration told Americans trying to evacuate the Middle East that they cannot “rely” on U.S. government assistance, despite urging Americans to “depart now” from 16 countries in the region as the war with Iran continues to escalate.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted a video Tuesday morning telling stranded Americans that they can call a State Department hotline for assistance. Americans who called the hotline received the message that there is no guaranteed travel help available.