State Dept has assisted more than 130 Americans in fleeing Israel: official

The State Department has so far helped more than 130 Americans evacuate Israel during the war with Iran, an official told Fox News on Tuesday.

“Hundreds of American citizens have left Israel since the conflict began. In recent days, the State Department has assisted more than 130 American citizens. [in departing] Israel, and 100 additional U.S. citizens are expected to leave today,” the State Department official said.

“The Department is in direct contact and assisting nearly 500 U.S. citizens [with arranging] are currently traveling outside of Israel,” the official added.

The US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said overnight: “We are receiving many requests regarding evacuation from Israel from US citizens who are currently in Israel or who have family here,” and that there are “very limited” options available.

Drone view of the site of an Iranian missile strike on a residential building in Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (Roei Kastro/Reuters/TPX Images of the day)

“For now, your best bet is to use the Israeli Ministry of Tourism shuttle to Taba, Egypt and take flights from there or fly to Cairo for flights back to the United States,” Huckabee said on received a ticket from El Al. I doubt other airlines will be flying in and out for a while.”

The State Department also warned Americans in more than a dozen Middle Eastern countries to leave immediately because of risks from the conflict with Iran.

AMBASSADOR HUCKABEE DESCRIBES “BEST OPTION” FOR AMERICANS SEEKING TO FLEE ISRAEL

Israeli Home Front Command officers inspect a damaged building after an Iranian missile strike in Ramat Gan, Israel, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Officials warned that the situation in the region remained volatile and security situations could change quickly as fighting over the Iranian conflict continued.

The warnings come days after the United States launched Operation Epic Fury, striking Iranian command and control centers, air defense capabilities and missile and drone launch sites.

An Israeli emergency services officer walks past the debris of a building at the scene of an Iranian missile attack. (Ahmad Gharabli/AFP via Getty Images)

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Israel struck Iran as part of its Operation Lion Roaring.

Ashley Carnahan of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.