Private Security Firm Evacuates Thousands of Americans from Middle East Amid Iran Conflict

Global Guardian, a Virginia-based security firm, has evacuated over 4,000 people from the region since the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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As the U.S. and Israel wage war against Iran, the Virginia-based private security firm Global Guardian has evacuated more than 4,000 Americans from the Middle East. The firm, which provides emergency response and evacuation services globally, has been working around the clock to get U.S. citizens out of harm's way since the conflict began. Global Guardian has personnel in over 140 countries, allowing them to coordinate ground movements and air transport to safety.

Why it matters

The ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has created a dangerous situation for American citizens in the region. With the U.S. government's evacuation efforts overwhelmed, private security firms like Global Guardian are playing a critical role in ensuring the safe return of stranded Americans.

The details

Global Guardian has been coordinating multiple emergency evacuations, including getting two college-aged women out of Dubai within 8 hours of receiving their call for help. The firm utilizes its global network of ground teams, armed agents, and transportation resources to move people across borders and onto commercial or private charter flights. While working closely with the U.S. State Department, Global Guardian has not yet conducted any official flight missions on the government's behalf.

  • The U.S. and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran last weekend, prompting the surge in evacuation efforts.
  • Global Guardian evacuated Americans from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Asheville, North Carolina in recent weeks due to other emergencies.

The players

Global Guardian

A global security firm based in Virginia that provides emergency response, evacuation, and other security services in over 140 countries around the world.

Dale Robert Buckner

The CEO and President of Global Guardian, overseeing the firm's evacuation operations in the Middle East.

Colin O'Brien

The Deputy Vice President of Operations at Global Guardian, who coordinated the evacuation of two college students from Dubai.

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What they’re saying

“We provide medical evac services, we provide kidnap, ransom, extortion negotiation payment if someone is kidnapped or extorted. We're providing about 300 missions a month of executive protection travel, in about 84 countries a month.”

— Dale Robert Buckner, CEO and President, Global Guardian

“Within about four and a half hours from the phone call, we had our teams in motion to go pick these people up and it was two college-aged women. Put them in the car, we were then able to move from the Omani border and by eight hours we were at the border. Work through the border checkpoint to a hotel in Muscat, where we could stop and give them a short rest while we arrange their transportation home.”

— Colin O'Brien, Deputy Vice President of Operations, Global Guardian

What’s next

Global Guardian says it remains active year-round to ensure evacuation plans are in place before disasters strike, and the firm continues to coordinate with the U.S. State Department on further evacuation efforts from the Middle East.

The takeaway

As the U.S. government's resources are stretched thin, private security firms like Global Guardian are playing a crucial role in safely evacuating American citizens caught in the crosshairs of the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Their global reach and rapid response capabilities are proving invaluable in this crisis.