The United States has organized nearly 50 charter flights to evacuate American citizens from the Middle East since the start of the war between Israel and Iran, a U.S. State Department official said.
According to this official, approximately four dozen government-chartered flights have evacuated thousands of Americans back to their country. The administration stated that demand for these special flights has decreased in recent days.
The State Department was criticized in the early days of the conflict, which began on February 28, for the slowness of its preparations regarding the relocation of diplomatic personnel and assistance to American citizens.
Iranian strikes and regional tensions have led to the closure of several airspaces and the cancellation of numerous commercial flights in the region.
US authorities indicate that approximately 47,000 American citizens have returned to the United States from the Middle East since the start of the conflict, mostly via commercial flights, while the State Department has provided assistance and advice to thousands of others.
