State Department Approves Up to $40M for Mideast Evacuation Flights

Funds will cover charter flights to help Americans leave the region amid Iran war disruptions.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The U.S. State Department has authorized the use of up to $40 million in emergency funds to pay for evacuation charter flights to help Americans leave the Middle East due to disruptions caused by the ongoing war between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. The department has faced criticism for not planning adequately and acting quickly enough to assist Americans in the region, though it says most have returned home commercially without government help.

Why it matters

The State Department's evacuation efforts are crucial for ensuring the safe return of American citizens from the Middle East as the war with Iran continues to disrupt transportation and travel in the region. The use of emergency funds highlights the challenges the U.S. government faces in responding to such geopolitical crises and protecting its citizens abroad.

The details

The State Department has approved the use of up to $40 million from a fund normally reserved for emergencies involving diplomatic and consular staff to pay for charter flights to evacuate Americans from the Middle East. While private Americans are typically required to reimburse the government for such transportation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has waived that requirement. The department says it has organized more than two dozen charter flights that have carried thousands of U.S. citizens, though most Americans have returned home commercially without government assistance.

  • The State Department approved the use of emergency funds on March 10, 2026.
  • The U.S. and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28, 2026.

The players

Marco Rubio

The current U.S. Secretary of State who has waived the requirement for private Americans to reimburse the government for evacuation flights.

U.S. State Department

The federal agency responsible for overseeing the evacuation of Americans from the Middle East amid the ongoing war with Iran.

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What’s next

The State Department says it will continue to operate charter flights to evacuate Americans from the Middle East, with seats available on these flights currently exceeding demand from U.S. citizens in the region.

The takeaway

The State Department's evacuation efforts highlight the challenges the U.S. government faces in protecting its citizens abroad during major geopolitical crises, though the use of emergency funds and waiver of reimbursement requirements suggests a concerted effort to facilitate the safe return of Americans from the war-torn Middle East.