President Donald Trump announced that more than 9,000 Americans have safely returned home from the Middle East since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, as tensions across the Gulf region intensify following coordinated strikes between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Trump on Tuesday, March 3 evening, posted on Truth Social, urging Americans still in the region to register with the State Department if they want to come home.
“Since the launch of Operation Epic Fury, more than 9,000 Americans have safely returned home from the Middle East,” Trump wrote. “If you are a U.S. Citizen in the Middle East, and you want to come home, please register with the State Department at Step.State.Gov.”
He said the U.S. government is already chartering free flights and arranging more commercial travel options in the coming days. Americans needing help can also contact the State Department’s 24/7 task force.
“The Department will identify where you are and provide travel options to you. We are already chartering flights, free of charge, and booking commercial options, which we expect will become increasingly available as time goes on. U.S. Citizens may also call the 24/7 State Department Task Force at +1-202-501-4444.”
On Tuesday, the Department of War identified four of the six American soldiers killed in a drone attack on March 1 in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait.
The victims were named as:
- Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, of Winter Haven, Florida
- Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska
- Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, of White Bear Lake, Minnesota
- Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, of West Des Moines, Iowa
The Army said all four were assigned to the 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa. The names of two other service members killed in the attack have not been released yet, as their families are still being notified.
Officials said the incident is still under investigation. The soldiers were supporting Operation Epic Fury when the attack happened.
The strike in Kuwait is one of the deadliest incidents involving U.S. personnel since the conflict escalated after joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in late February.
Embassies targeted across the Gulf
The deadly drone attack is part of a wider campaign of air strikes targeting U.S. facilities and allied sites across the Middle East.
In the United Arab Emirates, a drone hit near the U.S. consulate in Dubai. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that the drone struck a parking lot next to the chancellery building and started a fire.
“All personnel are accounted for,” Rubio said, noting that the blaze was extinguished and no injuries were reported.
Dubai authorities said the fire was fully contained. However, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB claimed that an Iranian drone hit the U.S. consulate, highlighting the growing battle over the regional narrative.
In Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Defense said two drones hit the U.S. Embassy, causing some fire damage and minor structural impact. Americans in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dhahran were told to shelter in place.
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait announced it would close “until further notice” due to fluid security conditions.
Also Read: Drone Reportedly Strikes CIA Facility After Iran Strikes U.S. Embassy in Saudi Arabia
Qatar reported that two ballistic missiles were launched from Iran on March 4. One was intercepted, but the other hit Al Udeid Air Base, where U.S. forces are stationed.
Qatari authorities later said they arrested two groups allegedly linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) which on Wednesday claimed that more than 650 U.S. military personnel have been killed or wounded by Iran’s retaliatory operation.
On Tuesday, Secretary Rubio while also noting that about 9,000 Americans have left the region since U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran began said that about 1,500 others are still asking for help.
“We have identified and continue to identify charter flights, military flight options, and expanded commercial flight options,” Rubio said.
The State Department has told non-emergency staff to leave six Gulf states and has issued urgent advisories telling Americans to “DEPART NOW!”
Escalation after Trump announces Operation Epic Fury
The evacuation effort follows the launch of Operation Epic Fury, a joint U.S.-Israeli campaign targeting Iranian military and strategic assets beginning February 28.
Iran responded with a wave of drone and missile attacks aimed at U.S. facilities and Gulf allies. Drone strikes have been reported in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, and Qatar, marking a broadening of the conflict’s geographic footprint.
Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Brad Cooper said on March 4 that American forces are expanding their operational advantage against Iran as the campaign intensifies.
In a video statement released on CENTCOM’s official channels, Cooper disclosed the scale of the deployment now engaged in the conflict: more than 50,000 U.S. troops, approximately 200 fighter aircraft, two aircraft carriers, and long-range bombers are participating in ongoing operations.
“We’ve already struck nearly 2,000 targets with more than 2,000 munitions,” Cooper said. “We have severely degraded Iran’s air defenses and destroyed hundreds of Iran’s ballistic missiles, launchers, and drones.”
He added that B-2 and B-1 bombers are carrying out what he described as “uncontested surgical strikes” deep inside Iranian territory, targeting missile infrastructure and strategic facilities. According to Cooper, Iranian air defense systems are being steadily dismantled.
The CENTCOM commander also said U.S. forces have destroyed 17 Iranian naval vessels, including what he described as Tehran’s most operational submarine.
“Thus far, we’ve destroyed 17 Iranian ships, including the most operational Iranian submarine that now has a hole in its side. More capability is on the way.”
“Having said this, we are seeing Iran’s ability to hit us, and our partners, is declining, while our combat power, on the other hand, is building,” he stated.
“And my overall operational assessment is that we are ahead of our game plan. Along the way, every single branch of our military is achieving unprecedented success.”
The remarks come as the United States and Israel continue a large-scale military operation launched on February 28, with major Iranian cities — including Tehran — struck in the opening phases.
The White House has defended the campaign as necessary to counter alleged missile and nuclear threats, while publicly urging the Iranian population to challenge its leadership.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
