MIAMI — The escalating war with Iran is disrupting air travel across the globe.
Major airlines are grounding flights, stranding thousands of passengers as security concerns grow.
Airports in Persian Gulf countries have been targeted in Iranian retaliation after serving as host sites for U.S. military operations.
“I wanted to take this chance to speak directly to Americans who are in the Middle East,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said while addressing lawmakers on Monday.
Rubio is now urging Americans to immediately leave 14 countries in the region.
“At the Department of State, our number one priority is the safety and security of American citizens everywhere in the world,” Rubio said.
The ripple effect is already reaching South Florida.
At Miami International Airport, the departure board shows canceled flights to Dubai and Qatar.
The Qatar Airways counter is also closed.
Cameras captured workers at the Emirates counters beginning to shut down their check-in lines.
The same story at the El Al desks after the airline announced it is suspending its flights between Miami and Tel Aviv through at least Wednesday.
The carrier is now preparing to operate rescue flights to help bring stranded passengers home, with priority given to those with previously canceled tickets.
“The feeling is we are all scared and we’re on edge,” said Scott Wayne, who is stuck in Jerusalem.
Those air raid sirens are what Aventura resident Scott Wayne said he is hearing from inside his hotel room in Jerusalem.
He is among thousands of Americans desperate to return home after Israel shut down its airspace Saturday following the strikes on Iran.
“I would like the US government to do something as an American citizen and help the US citizens to get out of Israel, the ones that want to leave,” said Wayne.
A spokesperson from the office of US Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz stated that she “is also working with anyone who contacts her office to walk them through the step program, work with the State Department and reach out to other embassies or consulates. In addition, she’s pushing the State Department to charter flights to help Americans stranded in the region.”
To request emergency assistance, please call +1-202-501-4444 from overseas or 888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada.
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