US says 47,000 Americans returned from Middle East since Iran warWASHINGTON, United States, March 13, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Around 47,000 Americans have returned home from the Middle East since February 28, when the United States and Israel began their attacks on Iran, a State Department official told AFP on Thursday. Countries worldwide have urged citizens to avoid the Middle East during the ongoing war against Iran, which has seen violence erupt across much of the region. US officials in particular came under fire for allegedly not giving citizens sufficient warning to avoid the Middle East in the days before launching the attacks on Iran. "We have offered departure options to nearly every American in the region who has asked us for assistance," the state department official said. Separately on Thursday, the state department raised its terror advisory alert on Azerbaijan to Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), citing "terrorism, armed conflict, and risk of landmines."

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 13, 2026 04:44 UTC