Americans trying to evacuate Middle East frustrated with government response

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CBS News

Updated on: March 4, 2026 / 8:36 PM EST


As the U.S. Department of State urges Americans to leave 14 countries across the Middle East amid the widening war with Iran, some Americans are voicing frustration with the lack of help from their government.

Sasha Hoffman, an American who lives in Chicago and was vacationing in Dubai when the U.S.-Israeli military action began, initially thought she would be able to wait out the fighting. But after hearing President Trump say Operation Epic Fury could last four to five weeks, her thinking changed.

"We're honestly trapped," she told CBS News on Tuesday. "It's really frustrating that right now the U.S. is saying 'Americans come home' when in reality we can't come home. We've had flights booked today, tomorrow, all of them are canceled. All of the airspace is closed through tomorrow night, now, if you're in the UAE." She said she understands the need to prioritize safety, "but then you can't tell us to get out and create no zone where we can all leave on commercial flights."

Hoffman also spoke of the fear of being trapped in a war zone, telling CBS News, "It's terrifying." "We're not used to it in the U.S., where you just hear fighter jets going on all day long, and you certainly don't hear the missiles actually landing and blowing up ... nor smoke plumes," she said. "These are not things that are normal. I even lived through the Boston Marathon bombing, I lived right above it, and this is so much worse than that."

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/americans-trying-to-evacuate-middle-east-frustrated-with-government-response/

[Aristus]

1. So......they're saying a competent government IS important...

...Okay...

[Random Boomer]

2. Now she's paying attention

There were rumbles of the approaching war for days, if not weeks, before the first missile was launched.

[popsdenver]

3. I would not want to be an American

ANYWHERE in the Mid East right now, or in many other countries that The Republicans are attacking............

To all of THOSE people, that voted for RepubliCONs and Trump, I would like to ask them currently: "So how that is working out for them in their time of need"????????????????

[BumRushDaShow]

4. This is in the "high season" for travel there before it gets blazing hot

So (at least those who had the $$$ since it's also the most expensive time) there are a lot over in that area touring, on cruises, etc.

[Miguelito Loveless]

5. Not a lot of sympathy

for rich people who vacation in countries notorious for human rights violations.

[fujiyamasan]

9. What about those who vacation in the US?

[Miguelito Loveless]

10. Well, I would strongly advise foreign nationals to not come here

As it is very dangerous.

The US is now a police state.

[wolfie001]

12. Yep! These Americans are tRUMP voters more than likely

So many here in the states being affected by this shit administration. Trying to live day-by-day. No sympathy here.

[Wonder Why]

6. Folks, buy some trump items and you'll get priority evacuation.

[wolfie001]

13. Bribes work best

Feed the fatty.

[mdbl]

7. Are any of them Dump voters?

I need to know who to feel bad for.

[wolfie001]

14. I'd wager every one of them are

[not fooled]

8. "You're on your own"

now applies anywhere in the world, not just in US disaster areas.

No government for you!

[GoneOffShore]

11. Visit Dubai, they said. You'll get great Instagram pics, they said. You might even see bombings.