Hundreds of American citizens have left Iran using land routes in the past week due to escalating tensions between the Islamic Republic and Israel, as stated in an internal State Department communication reviewed by Reuters on Friday. While many departed without issues, some encountered “delays and harassment” during their exit attempts, including reports of two U.S. citizens being detained.
The internal cable, dated June 20, highlights the complexities faced by Washington in safeguarding its citizens in a country with which it has no diplomatic relations, especially amidst a conflict that could potentially involve the United States. The State Department has yet to comment on the situation, with the cable initially reported by The Washington Post.
President Donald Trump and the White House have indicated that a decision on U.S. involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict will be made within the next two weeks. Trump’s statements have ranged from seeking a diplomatic resolution to considering military support for Israel. The ongoing air war, initiated by Israel’s attack on Iran on June 13, has raised concerns in a region already tense since Israel’s previous conflict in Gaza in 2023.
As Israel and Iran exchange strikes, the U.S. State Department has advised American citizens in Iran to utilize land routes through neighboring countries for departure, as Iranian airspace remains closed. Efforts to secure entry for over 100 Americans in Turkmenistan are pending governmental approval.
Given the risks faced by U.S. nationals in Iran, including questioning, arrest, and detention, the State Department is exploring potential evacuation options. While planning for evacuations from Israel, assistance within Iran is severely limited due to the absence of diplomatic ties since 1979.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has shared that various means, such as military, commercial flights, charter flights, and cruise ships, are being considered for evacuating U.S. citizens. An online form has been circulated to gather information from American citizens and green card holders in Israel to facilitate evacuation planning.
According to internal communications, thousands of U.S. citizens are estimated to be residing in Iran and Israel, with hundreds of thousands more in Israel alone. The recent strikes by Israel have resulted in casualties in Iran, further escalating tensions in the region.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that Israel has stated that Iranian attacks have resulted in the deaths of 24 civilians in Israel. A subsequent email mentioned that the U.S. Department of State did not receive any reports of U.S. citizen casualties in either Israel or Iran. (Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)
