The U.S. is working to evacuate citizens stranded due to the Iran war | Video
Key Takeaways
- It has been reported that the U.S. State Department has initiated charter flights to evacuate stranded U.S. citizens from the Iran conflict zone.
- Evacuations typically prioritize U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs), with limited eligibility for certain immediate family; evacuees must usually sign a repayment promissory note.
- The U.S. has no embassy in Iran; assembly points and routes are expected to run through neighboring countries and will be shared via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- Visa services for Iranian nationals at U.S. embassies in third countries may face suspensions and delays; applicants should monitor post-specific alerts and rescheduling options.
- Travelers are advised to enroll in STEP, prepare documents, and use commercial routes while available, as seats on evacuation flights are limited and conditions can change rapidly.
State Department activates charter evacuations amid heightened risk
As fighting involving Iran escalates, it has been reported that the U.S. Department of State has begun organizing charter flights to move stranded Americans to safety from third-country hubs. The United States maintains no embassy in Iran, complicating any direct extraction; instead, registrants are typically instructed to reach designated assembly points in neighboring states, with details transmitted via the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Iran remains a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, with longstanding risks of arbitrary arrest and detention—particularly for dual nationals. Officials have cautioned in past crises that operations are security-dependent and can be suspended with little notice.
Who can board and what it costs
In prior evacuations, seats are generally offered to U.S. citizens and LPRs (green card holders), with limited access for certain immediate family of U.S. citizens (typically a spouse and unmarried children under 21). Evacuees are required to sign a promissory note (Form DS-5528) agreeing to reimburse the government for the at-cost charter, under authority in 22 U.S.C. § 2671; onward travel to a final destination in the United States is usually self-funded. The State Department can issue emergency passports at evacuation points when feasible. Dual nationals should be aware that Iranian exit controls may restrict departure regardless of U.S. documentation.
Visa and immigration fallout across the region
With no U.S. consular presence in Iran, most Iranians pursue U.S. visas through embassies and consulates in third countries such as Yerevan, Abu Dhabi, and Ankara. During regional conflicts, posts often scale back or suspend routine appointments, delaying immigrant and nonimmigrant visa processing and creating backlogs. Applicants should watch for embassy alerts, use online portals to reschedule, and ask the National Visa Center about transferring cases if a post is shuttered for an extended period. USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) operations inside the United States continue, but humanitarian parole remains discretionary and limited; asylum cannot be applied for from abroad and must be sought at a U.S. border or inside the country.
What affected families should do now
Enroll in STEP immediately, monitor email and embassy alert pages, and be prepared to move quickly to designated assembly points if contacted. Keep passports, green cards, and civil documents on hand, along with copies; LPRs should carry their physical green card. Use commercial options while they remain available, as charter capacity is limited and not guaranteed. It has been reported that specific routes and timelines will be communicated directly to registrants, and that evacuees should be ready for last-minute changes tied to security conditions.
Source: Original Article