Tens of thousands of people are stranded in the Middle East as Iran war complicates routes home

"Tens of thousands of people, from Romanian religious pilgrims to tourists and diplomats' family members, are stranded across the Middle East as the Iran war spreads throughout the region. Major airlines have canceled flights to and from the region, and airspace across the Gulf is closed."

"In a major move Monday, the U.S. State Department urged all U.S. citizens to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries over the safety risk with the ongoing escalations that have dragged the region into significant chaos."

"U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said on social platform X that Americans in countries including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Israel should DEPART NOW using any available commercial transportation."

Escalating conflict in the Middle East has created a humanitarian crisis with tens of thousands of people stranded across the region, including Romanian pilgrims, tourists, and diplomats' families. Major airlines have suspended flights to and from affected areas, and airspace across the Gulf remains closed. Some individuals are sheltering during airstrikes while others remain trapped on cruise ships unable to navigate the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. State Department issued an urgent directive for all American citizens to leave more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel. The State Department has evacuated non-emergency personnel and families from six nations, with the United Arab Emirates added to the evacuation list.

Read at www.independent.co.uk