While the situation in the Middle East has remained volatile since the commencement of Operations Epic Fury and Roaring Lion on Saturday, the United States has been working overtime to support Americans attempting to evacuate Israel and the surrounding regions.
As military operations against Iran enter their sixth day, the State Department and related agencies have provided updated guidance for U.S. citizens seeking to depart the region.
'Since February 28, the Department has facilitated the safe return of over 20,000 American citizens from the Middle East, approximately 8,500 arrivals yesterday.'
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee previously offered "fairly limited" options for Americans attempting to evacuate the region, including a bus service to Taba, Egypt, where travelers could attempt to catch an outgoing flight or continue to the airport in Cairo, Egypt. The bus service is still operational, according to a Thursday update from U.S. Embassy Jerusalem.
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The service was initially offered by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism. Per the Thursday update, U.S. Embassy Jerusalem "has started offering" the same bus service to Taba.
The update also announced that Ben Gurion Airport reopened Thursday for "limited inbound flights" to Tel Aviv.
"We have no information yet on when outbound flights may become available," the embassy's security alert said.
There have been, however, some outbound flights for Americans facilitated by the Department of State.
According to a State Department media note released on Wednesday, "a Department of State charter flight of American citizens departed the Middle East in route to the United States as part of our ongoing efforts to assist Americans' return home. Additional flights will be surged across the region."
The note added that American citizens in UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Israel are encouraged to fill out and submit a crisis intake form or contact the department's 24/7 task force.
A State Department spokesperson told Blaze News Thursday, "Since February 28, the Department has facilitated the safe return of over 20,000 American citizens from the Middle East, approximately 8,500 arrivals yesterday. Thousands more have successfully transitioned to safe havens in Europe and Asia or remain in active transit."
The spokesperson added that the State Department's 24/7 task force has "assisted nearly 10,000 Americans abroad, including offering security guidance and travel assistance."
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In his Monday appearance on Fox News' "Hannity," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the latest U.S.-Israeli military operation against Iran and denied the dominant interpretation of Secretary of State Marco Rubio's and House Speaker Mike Johnson's recent remarks about the genesis of the attacks.
The Trump administration attempted on Monday to address the mounting confusion about the justification and objectives for the Iran strikes.
'We knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces.'
As part of this broader effort, Rubio told reporters on Capitol Hill, "Why now? The first is it was abundantly clear that if Iran came under attack by anyone, the United States or Israel or anyone, they were going to respond and respond against the United States."
"The assessment that was made that if we stood and waited for that attack to come first before we hit them, we would suffer much higher casualties," said Rubio.
"We knew that there was going to be an Israeli action, we knew that that would precipitate an attack against American forces, and we knew that if we didn’t preemptively go after them before they launched those attacks, we would suffer higher casualties and perhaps even higher [than] those killed," continued the secretary. "And then we would all be here answering questions about why we knew that and didn’t act."
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), a member of the Gang of Eight who was briefed ahead of the resumption of strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, echoed Rubio, suggesting to reporters that the strikes were a "defensive measure."
"Israel was determined to act in their own defense here with or without American support," said Johnson, suggesting further that Iran posed an "existential threat" to Israel, and its missile production was outstripping "our allies in the region."
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"Because Israel was determined to act with or without the U.S., our commander in chief and the administration and the officials I just named had a very difficult decision to make," continued Johnson. "They had to evaluate the threats to the U.S. — to our troops, to our installations, to our assets in the region and beyond — and they determined because of the exquisite intelligence that we had that if Israel fired upon Iran and took action against Iran to take out the missiles, then they would have immediately retaliated against U.S. personnel and assets."
The suggestion that probable blowback from an ally's planned preemptive attack on another country forced America's involvement in a deadly conflict prompted outrage and debate — even on the right.
Conservative commentator Matt Walsh, for instance, said in response to Rubio's statement, "So he's flat out telling us that we're in a war with Iran because Israel forced our hand. This is basically the worst possible thing he could have said."
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On the flip side, National Review editor Philip Klein suggested that critics had misconstrued Rubio's meaning.
Klein noted that later in Rubio's press conference, the secretary of state said that the U.S. was not forced to strike because of an impending Israeli action and that "this operation needed to happen because Iran in about a year or a year and a half would cross the line of immunity, meaning they would have so many short-range missiles, so many drones, that no one could do anything about it because they could hold the whole world hostage."
'Nobody drags Donald Trump into anything.'
Democrats such as Sen. Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), and former Biden White House Domestic Policy Council Director Neera Tanden made hay of Rubio's and/or Johnson's remarks as did Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who stated, "Mr. Rubio admitted what we all knew: U.S. has entered a war of choice on behalf of Israel. There was never any so-called Iranian 'threat.' Shedding of both American and Iranian blood is thus on Israel Firsters."
The outrage over the suggestion that America's hand was forced not by an enemy but by a friend appears to have prompted a response from President Donald Trump, who noted on Monday evening,
The Radical Left Democrats, a Party that has completely lost its way, are complaining bitterly about the very necessary and important attack, by the United States and Israel, on Iran. What most people understand is that they are only complaining BECAUSE I DID IT and, if I didn’t do it, they would be screaming — Why didn’t “TRUMP” attack Iran, he should do it, IMMEDIATELY?
Trump then urged his followers to watch Netanyahu's interview on Fox News, where Hannity asked the Israeli prime minister about the forced-to-act claim.
"There are people that say, 'Well, the prime minister of Israel dragged Donald Trump into it,'" said Hannity. "As somebody that's been friends with him over 30 years, nobody drags Donald Trump into anything, number one, but I want to get your reaction to that."
Netanyahu laughed, then said, "Well, you're right. I mean that's — that's ridiculous. Donald Trump is the strongest leader in the world. He does what he thinks is right for America. He does also what he thinks is right for future generations, and frankly, we're partners in that effort."
The Israeli leader suggested that it was necessary to strike because Iran "started building new sites, new places, underground bunkers that would make their ballistic missile program and their atomic bomb programs immune within months. If no action was taken now, no action could be taken in the future."
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The Trump administration has worked diligently to help stabilize Syria in the wake of its December 2024 conquest by Islamic terrorists.
The administration has, for instance, removed sanctions and dropped the $10 million bounty on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the al-Qaeda-linked terrorist who is also known as Muhammad al-Jawlani; terminated the Syria sanctions program; revoked the Foreign Terrorist Organization designation of al-Sharaa's terrorist organizations al-Nusrah Front and HTS on July 8; and flooded parts of the war-torn country with humanitarian aid.
The recent Israeli attacks in the south of the country have prompted concerns among some in the administration, including the president, about the tenability of sustained peace in the region.
'We are trying to tell Bibi he has to stop this.'
President Donald Trump reiterated his support for al-Sharaa on Monday and suggested that Israel should refrain from further interference.
"The United States is very satisfied with the results displayed, through hard work and determination, in the Country of Syria," wrote the president. "We are doing everything within our power to make sure the Government of Syria continues to do what was intended, which is substantial, in order to build a true and prosperous Country."
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"It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous State," continued Trump. "The new President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is working diligently to make sure good things happen, and that both Syria and Israel will have a long and prosperous relationship together."
Two senior U.S. officials reportedly told Axios that the administration is concerned that repeated strikes inside Syria — including Israel's bombing of Syrian forces in July — serve to undermine hopes of an Israel-Syria security agreement.
Israeli troops reportedly killed 13 people, injured dozens, and arrested several individuals during a raid in Southern Syria on Friday, some footage of which Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adrae shared online.
The Israel Defense Forces indicated that the purpose of the operation was "to apprehend suspects from the Jaama Islamiya terrorist organization operating in the Beit Jinn area of southern Syria" and claimed that "during the activity several armed terrorists opened fire at the troops. IDF soldiers responded with live fire, supported by aerial assistance."
The Syrian foreign ministry characterized the attack as a "full-fledged war crime" and claimed that the raid and corresponding airstrikes left more than 10 civilians dead including women and children.
Walid Akasha, a local official in the area, told Reuters, "We're a peaceful, civilian population, farmers. We have a legitimate right to defend ourselves. We didn't attack them first — they came onto our land."
One of the U.S. officials told Axios, "The Syrians were going nuts. Their own constituents demanded retaliation because Syrian civilians were killed."
According to the officials, Israel neglected to notify the White House or Syria of the operation in advance.
"We are trying to tell Bibi he has to stop this because if it continues he will self-destruct — miss a huge diplomatic opportunity and turn the new Syrian government to an enemy," said one official, referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu praised the Israeli soldiers involved in the Friday raid and noted in a statement on Tuesday, "After October 7th, we are determined to defend our communities on our borders, including the northern border, and to prevent the entrenchment of terrorists and hostile actions against us, to protect our Druze allies, and to ensure that the State of Israel is safe from ground attack and other attacks from the border areas."
"What we expect Syria to do, of course, is to establish a demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the buffer zone area, including, of course, the approaches to Mount Hermon and the summit of Mount Hermon," continued Netanyahu. "We hold these territories to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel, and that is what obligates us."
The prime minister suggested further that in a "good spirit and understanding of these principles, it is also possible to reach an agreement with the Syrians."
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The tragic assassination last week of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk sparked memorials in his honor not just across the nation, but around the globe.
Canadian patriots gathered in Calgary to sing the American national anthem and chant “USA” in memory of Kirk. Those in Alberta held a vigil and sang “Amazing Grace.”
‘He gave his life fighting for America’s future, and now his impact is multiplying. The political assassination of Charlie Kirk has backfired.’
Outside the U.S. embassy in Madrid, Spain, people placed candles, flowers, and posters to create a memorial to Kirk.
“Organizers described the tribute as part of a growing global movement standing against political violence and censorship,” entrepreneur and podcast host Mario Nawfal stated. “The event was peaceful, with a moment of silence held in Kirk’s memory. Supporters say this marks a turning point, not just in America, but worldwide.”
In South Korea, a large crowd gathered and marched through the streets, waving both South Korean and American flags. Participants chanted and held signs reading, “We are Charlie Kirk.”
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Germans held a candlelight vigil in honor of Charlie Kirk outside the U.S. embassy in Berlin.
“Charlie Kirk is dead,” Martin C. T. Kohler, a German politician, wrote in a post on X, inviting individuals to join the vigil. “That is the bitter truth. We must not allow this to be the ending point. Charlie stood for freedom and debate. But first and foremost, he stood for his country and his faith.”
“We want to make a statement so that everyone can see what he died for. His death must not have been in vain,” Kohler continued. “Grief must not slip into resignation. We will carry on his message.”
A youth ambassador for TPUSA’s United Kingdom chapter known as “Young Bob” addressed the crowd that had gathered to hold a vigil for Kirk.
“The radical left have been persecuting the conservatives, who have one clear message: We want to conserve our culture and our heritage,” Young Bob stated.
“We will continue in civil discourse. We will continue his work. We will pick up the megaphones, the microphones, the stands. They won’t be able to move our minds by an inch,” he continued.
RELATED: TPUSA plans historic memorial for Charlie Kirk
Joel Jammal, the head of TPUSA Australia, shared a video montage from a vigil in Sydney. In the audio for the montage, a speaker addressed the gathering, stating, “How strange is it, so far away from the USA, that we should feel such sadness?”
“There will not be another man like Charlie Kirk,” the video continued. “Christ is King. Christ is the one that inspired Charlie. ‘Christ’ was one of the last things Charlie said. Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. And until that is proclaimed throughout all the land, we will not be made great again as a nation.”
Memorials celebrating Kirk’s legacy were also held in Tel Aviv and New Zealand.
Benny Johnson reacted to the memorials.
“From prayer vigils on college campuses to murals and memorials around the globe, Charlie’s influence is spreading further than ever,” Johnson said. “He gave his life fighting for America’s future, and now his impact is multiplying. The political assassination of Charlie Kirk has backfired. He is more powerful now than ever. That’s the power of a martyr.”
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75-year-old Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner flew to Tel Aviv to be the guest of honor at a Pride parade — but all that came to a screeching halt when Iranian missiles began to pierce the sky.
When Jenner was moved to a bomb shelter instead of the parade, Israeli influencer Regev Gur snapped a photo of himself and the famous transgender athlete, posting it to X with the caption, “What did you do during the alerts? Because I'm drinking wine with Caitlyn.”
Jenner is shown in the photo holding a glass of wine up next to the influencer while in the bunker, but BlazeTV host Dave Landau doesn’t see it as a good thing.
“It’s wine o’clock somewhere, apparently in Tel Aviv while you’re getting bombed,” Landau says, dripping with sarcasm.
“The former Olympian, who’s 76 — you wouldn’t have guessed that,” he continues, “captioned via Instagram Friday with a picture of missiles, adding, ‘There is not a place I’d rather be than with the brave people of Israel. God, please continue to shield and protect us.’”
1/4 Black Garrett finds the timing of the missiles to be suspicious, as it was just as the Pride celebration was set to begin.
“Why would Palestine blow them up at that time?” he asks, alluding to Palestine’s strict laws against homosexuality.
“I’d say this is the most woman thing he’s ever done,” he continues, adding, “making a very bad situation about himself.”
To enjoy more whimsical satire, topical sketches, and comedic discussions from comedians Dave Landau and 1/4 Black Garrett, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.
President Donald Trump was heralded Monday as a hero by a grateful Israel that rejoiced in the return of the last living hostages.
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