State Department fires back at accusations of ‘empty planes’ rescuing Americans from conflict zones
The State Department is facing criticism over the efficiency of its evacuation efforts during the U.S.-Iran conflict, with private rescue groups claiming thousands of Americans were left stranded. Bryan Stern of Grey Bull Rescue highlighted a mostly empty State Department flight from Tel Aviv to Miami as evidence of logistical failures. The dispute has sparked calls for specialized government roles and improved coordination in future evacuations.
- ▪Private rescue groups claim the State Department failed to assist thousands of Americans during the U.S.-Iran conflict.
- ▪Bryan Stern of Grey Bull Rescue criticized the State Department's bureaucracy and lack of dedicated evacuation personnel.
- ▪A State Department evacuation flight from Tel Aviv to Miami was reportedly mostly empty, raising questions about resource utilization.
- ▪State Department officials did not explain why only a few seats were booked on the evacuation flight.
- ▪Lawmakers and rescue organizations are calling for improved evacuation coordination and specialized government roles.
- ▪The State Department sometimes purchases individual commercial tickets but rarely charters entire aircraft for evacuations.
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Homeland Security State Department fires back at accusations of ‘empty planes’ rescuing Americans from conflict zones A mostly empty State Department evacuation flight from Tel Aviv to Miami highlights the dispute over rescue logistics By Leo Briceno Fox News Published May 4, 2026 6:00am EDT Facebook Twitter Threads Flipboard Comments Print Email Add Fox News on Google close Video Empty flight in Iran crisis fuels questions over U.S. evacuation response Lawmakers, private groups call for stronger coordination in conflict-zone rescues. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The State Department's account of its evacuation efforts is at odds with on-the-ground reports from private rescue teams who helped extract U.S.
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