When Israel and the U.S. attacked Iran, thousands of American citizens, including embassy staff, were in different Gulf countries. When Iran began retaliating, striking American bases in the region and other targets like the Dubai International Airport, they were instantly left stranded. “It’s been a complete dereliction of duty,” said Jeffrey Feltman, a former U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, told Politico. “Iran is a menace without question, but there was no imminent threat to us, and yet [Trump has] left thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of Americans in harm’s way without planning how to get them out.”
As Americans struggle to find ways back home, the State Department is sending extra staff to Athens to help arrange travel, and potentially additional places if the crisis worsens.
