State Department tells Americans in Iran to use ‘existing means’ to get out, rules out direct evacuation

WASHINGTON, DC: The United States Department of State claimed on Friday, June 20, that it had provided guidance to more than 25,000 people in Israel, the West Bank, and Iran, and informed Americans stuck in Iran to rely on "existing means" to get out before they can be evacuated.

Tammy Bruce, the State Department spokeswoman, did not give details on how many of those 25,000 people are American citizens or any other breakdown of the number, Fox News reported.

State Depatment claims it provided guidance to over 25,000 people

The news of the assistance comes after the agency announced the formation of a task force to assist Americans looking to leave Israel or other Middle Eastern countries, per the outlet.

During a press briefing on Friday, Bruce said the United States does not intend to help transport American citizens directly from Iran, and they will have to make it out first before they can be assisted by the government, per the outlet. 

Moreover, US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said earlier this week that the embassy in Jerusalem was "working on evacuation flights & cruise ship departures" for Americans trying to leave Israel.

Interestingly, the US Ambassador to Israel released his statement hours after the US Embassy in Jerusalem wrote in its own X post that there was "no announcement about assisting private U.S. citizens to depart at this time," but acknowledged "the Department of State is always planning for contingencies to assist with private U.S. citizens’ departure from crisis areas."

The US has not yet engaged in a large-scale effort to help Americans get out of Israel.

However, the military did assist in flying some American diplomats and family members from the US Embassy this week, according to ABC News.

Furthermore, private flights for American citizens started landing in Florida on Thursday, June 19, after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis dispatched four aircraft to pick up US citizens stuck in Israel during the ongoing violence, per Fox News. 

Hundreds of Americans flee Iran amid conflict with Israel

Several hundred Americans have fled Iran as the conflict with Israel has escalated, according to an internal State Department report, per CNN.

The situation report mentioned that US citizens in Iran are at risk as President Donald Trump weighs US military action, per the outlet.

Furthermore, the situation report also mentioned that some Americans are facing difficulties leaving Iran.

"Security alerts also note Americans seeking to depart should be prepared to encounter checkpoints and questioning from authorities," the report stated.

It added, "Numerous US citizens have described delays and harassment along their exit route."

Moreover, the report mentioned that two Americans were reportedly detained while attempting to depart the country.

Meanwhile, a source trying to get a US citizen family member out of Iran expressed frustration at the State Department earlier this week.

The source said the agency seemed to defer everything to seemingly overwhelmed US embassies, per CNN.

The person wanted the department to apply more pressure on Iran’s neighboring countries to approve Americans’ entrance, the outlet reported.

Moreover, they suggested dispatching embassy officials closer to the Iranian border to help.

Meanwhile, the State Department has launched a "crisis intake form" for Americans in Israel and Iran who are eager to know how to get out of those countries as the conflict continues.

Bruce added during the press briefing, "Americans seeking departure should take advantage of existing means to leave."