US State Department says over 70,000 Americans returned from the Middle East

CAIRO – 19 March 2026: The US State Department announced that over 70,000 American citizens have returned to the country from the Middle East since the start of military operations involving Iran.

The State Department confirmed that tens of thousands of citizens have returned in recent period amid the military escalation. It specifically noted that more than 2,000 Americans returned from Israel between March 16 and 19 as part of ongoing evacuation operations.

Reports indicate that the US Department of Defense is considering sending more troops to the Middle East. Media reports quoted a Pentagon official as saying that plans are underway to bolster the US military presence.

Sources also indicated that this deployment could give President Donald Trump broader options for operations as the conflict enters its third week, including securing oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

The war, which has been escalating daily in the Middle East, erupted on February 28th after the United States and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran targeting military capabilities and senior leadership.

On March 17, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, and Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering solidarity with its brotherly nations. Speaking with journalists, the Foreign Minister said his recent tour of the Gulf states was a message of resolute support for regional partners.

Abdelatty revealed that Egypt is engaged in daily, high-level coordination with the GCC, Jordan, and Iraq to draft and pass a resolution condemning the recent attacks.

He noted that Egypt has been coordinating with Russia and China to prevent the use of the veto in the recent UN resolution. “We exerted every effort to avoid a negative and catastrophic scenario for the security and stability of the region,” Abdelatty stated.

Following these diplomatic efforts, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi visited the UAE and Qatar on Thursday to affirm full solidarity. During these visits, the President reiterated that Gulf security is an integral part of Egyptian national security and expressed readiness to provide all necessary support to maintain regional stability.