Assistance for Individuals & Families Currently Impacted by the War in the Middle East
On Saturday, February 28, without the consent of Congress or the American people, Donald Trump launched a war against Iran that has spilled over into military conflict across the Middle East. Maintaining the safety and security of all Americans impacted by this ongoing war is of the utmost importance for me and my office. As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, my staff and I are in constant communication with the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and relevant foreign officials on the safety of Americans affected by the war.
It is important that all Americans in the Middle East receive timely, accurate and up-to-date information and contacts for relevant government agencies and officials. The latest guidance from the State Department for Americans in the region is provided below. We will continue to update this page as more information becomes available. I encourage you to share these with any family and friends that are traveling in the region or who have questions about the current situation.
- If you are overseas and need to request emergency assistance from the State Department, call +1-202-501-4444. To request emergency assistance from within the United States or Canada, call +1-888-407-4747. Both numbers are available 24/7, but please be advised that lines may be busy.
- U.S. citizens traveling to impacted countries should enroll their contact information in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which you can complete here. Enrolling in STEP allows you to receive important information about safety conditions and will assist the Embassy, family, and friends in contacting you during an emergency.
- Follow the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs on social media @travelgov or on the WhatsApp channel “U.S. Department of State – Security Updates for U.S. Citizens” to stay informed on security alerts and more.
- The Department has asked those interested in receiving additional information about departure assistance from Israel, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, to register to complete the applicable Crisis Intake Form, which is available on their website here.
- For the latest updates from the Department of State, please monitor travel advisories for U.S. citizens here.
- Some U.S. Embassy and consulate services have been limited by the threat of drone and missile attacks. To view the latest updates on the status of services at your nearest missions in the region, and monitor specific security alerts in those countries, please visit their respective websites below:
- The State Department is reportedly preparing to provide military and chartered flights for impacted U.S. citizens seeking to leave the region. Our office is currently seeking clarification about the location and timing of any forthcoming flights and procedures for Americans to register their interest. Please monitor this page for corresponding updates.
- Commercial airport operations have been impacted by airspace closures and flight cancellations. Please visit the website of the impacted airport for the most up-to-date information on flight status and airport closures. Some airport websites are listed below for your convenience:
o Bahrain International Airport (BAH) – Bahrain
o Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY) – Beirut, Lebanon
o Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) – Tel Aviv, Israel
o Dubai International Airport (DXB) – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
o Hamad International Airport (DOH) – Doha, Qatar
o King Khalid International Airport (RUH) – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
o Kuwait International Airport (KWI) – Kuwait City, Kuwait
o Queen Alia International Airport (AMM) – Amman, Jordan
o Zayed International Airport (AUH) – Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
During this volatile and frightening moment, I am disappointed that the Trump administration launched this war without planning for the safety of Americans seeking to leave the region.
The administration waited three days to issue an advisory urging Americans in more than a dozen countries to depart immediately - after many airports were already closed. As of Tuesday evening, the State Department has not yet provided alternatives to commercial transport even while flight cancellations and closures have left Americans stranded. This dereliction of duty is unacceptable and further evidence of the lack of planning for the safety of American citizens.
In addition to the resources provided above, my dedicated constituent services team is standing by to assist with any inquiries, including questions about consular services and visas. To submit a request to our casework team, please complete and submit the help with a federal agency form.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my offices in Hartford or in Washington, DC.
You can reach my Hartford office at (860) 549-8463.
You can reach my D.C. office at (202) 224-4041.