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State Department urges U.S. citizens in Israel, West Bank and Iran to enroll in STEP, posts crisis intake form
Summary
The State Department urged Americans abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, published a crisis intake form on travel.state.gov and said it has provided information to more than 25,000 people seeking guidance about Israel, the West Bank and Iran, while declining to provide a country-by-country breakdown.
The U.S. State Department on Friday urged American travelers and U.S. citizens in Israel, the West Bank and Iran to register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and use a new crisis intake form posted on travel.state.gov, citing concerns about safety amid ongoing hostilities in the region.
"The U.S. Department of State has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans," the State Department spokesperson said, and urged citizens to "sign up for the smart traveler enrollment program known as STEP" and to monitor travel.state.gov for updates, emergency contact information and the new crisis intake banner labeled "Israel and Iran departure info." The spokesperson provided the emergency overseas contact number +1 (202) 501-4444.
Why it matters: With active hostilities and what the spokesperson described as a "dynamic" security environment, the department said those tools let consular staff provide up-to-date information and track and assist U.S. citizens abroad.
The spokesperson said the crisis intake form allows U.S. citizens in Israel, the West Bank and Iran to register and request information on departure assistance. "This crisis intake form will also allow U.S. citizens in Iran to register their information. We do not anticipate offering direct U.S. government assisted departure from Iran. Americans seeking departure should take advantage of existing means to leave," the spokesperson said.
The department said it has "provided information and support to over 25,000 people seeking guidance regarding the situation in Israel, the West Bank, and Iran," but declined requests to break that total down by location or to provide data on how many people who contacted the department later departed. When pressed by reporters for numbers about departures or specific evacuation flights, the spokesperson declined to provide further detail, saying those data would not be shared "for national security reasons" and that some operational details are being posted at individual embassy sites.
Reporters asked whether privately organized charter flights — including a reported effort by Florida’s governor — were coordinated with the State Department. The spokesperson said independent efforts are occurring and suggested reporters contact the organizers for details.
The department continued to urge Americans overseas to contact their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, use the online crisis intake form and call +1 (202) 501-4444 for emergency assistance.
The briefing also noted the department’s broader consular posture remains active with task forces and embassy teams working on guidance and assistance for U.S. citizens across the Middle East as the situation evolves.
Ending: The State Department said it will continue to update travel.state.gov and embassy websites and encouraged U.S. citizens abroad to remain registered in STEP and to complete the crisis intake form if they seek departure information or other consular assistance.
