Overview
- State Department officials say 47,000 U.S. citizens have returned since Feb. 28, mostly on commercial flights.
- By the end of Thursday, the government expects to have completed roughly four dozen charter flights, with costs waived for travelers.
- The department reports low uptake for charter seats, with prior flights averaging under 40% occupancy as more travelers choose commercial options.
- Through its 24/7 task force, the State Department says it has directly provided guidance or assistance to about 32,000 Americans.
- Early evacuations were hampered by airspace closures and cancellations after the strikes, and U.S. facilities have since faced continued threats, including a drone hitting a major diplomatic site in Iraq on Tuesday.