Bakersfield native stranded in Qatar amid U.S.-Iran conflict desperate to get home

Sean Starkey says he and two other Americans are the only U.S. citizens left at an industrial camp in Qatar, with airspace closed and no government help to get out.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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A Bakersfield native named Sean Starkey says he is stranded in Qatar as fighting between the United States and Iran escalates, with missiles exploding near the industrial camp where he is staying. Starkey, a nationally certified crane inspector, traveled to Qatar for a routine safety audit but is now unable to leave due to the closed airspace and lack of government assistance.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran has left American citizens like Starkey trapped in dangerous situations abroad, with limited options to get home safely. This story highlights the challenges faced by U.S. citizens caught in the middle of geopolitical tensions and the need for effective government support and evacuation plans.

The details

Starkey says he and two other Americans are the only U.S. citizens left at the industrial camp in Ras Laffan, Qatar, where they have been told to shelter in place. He describes hearing missile strikes and intercepts near their location, leaving them "terrified." Starkey says they have tried reaching out to the U.S. government and private contractors for help, but have been told they are "on their own." With the danger seemingly growing closer, Starkey and the others are considering a risky attempt to reach Saudi Arabia, where flights may still be operating.

  • Starkey had been in Qatar for about five weeks and was only days away from leaving when the conflict began.
  • On the night before, Starkey and the others did not get to sleep until 2 a.m. because of a bomb that was intercepted in their area, shaking their building and waking them up.

The players

Sean Starkey

A Bakersfield native and nationally certified crane inspector who traveled to Qatar for a routine safety audit and is now stranded there amid the U.S.-Iran conflict.

Lyric

Starkey's 10-year-old son.

Jordan

Starkey's 12-year-old daughter.

Jennifer

Starkey's wife, who is worried sick about his situation.

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What they’re saying

“We're terrified, it's not good. I don't know if they are targeting civilian areas or our plant, or what it is, but there has been so many missile strikes, not strikes but interceptions, that I can't even keep track of them. So it's a nightmare, it's like I'm living in a nightmare, you know,”

— Sean Starkey (turnto23.com)

“We need to be rescued. The biggest problem that we're running into is that no one can give us any type of plan to get out of here. We're too close to Iran, we're too close to the bombings, we're just trying to get as far away from here as we can,”

— Sean Starkey (turnto23.com)

What’s next

Starkey and the other Americans are considering a risky attempt to reach Saudi Arabia, where flights may still be operating, but leaving the camp would mean leaving behind their food, shelter, and safety.

The takeaway

This story highlights the challenges faced by U.S. citizens caught in the middle of geopolitical tensions, with limited options and government support to safely return home. It underscores the need for effective emergency evacuation plans and diplomatic efforts to protect American citizens abroad during times of conflict.