Californians stranded in Middle East describe efforts to return home as US war on Iran escalates

After President Donald Trump announced "major combat operations" against Iran on Saturday, thousands of Americans became stranded and many on Tuesday were trying to figure out what do next as flights to and from the Middle East were canceled.

Some expressed disappointment with in the way U.S. government is handling the situation, saying they felt the government was not doing enough to get them home.

As combat operations against Iran continued to ramp up, Californians were among those stuck in the region.

Nasser Al-Rayess is from San Francisco.

"The moment that stressed me out the most was when a drone that was intercepted landed 900 feet to 1000 feet to my hotel," he said in a video interview conducted online.

Al-Rayess was in Dubai and was set to fly back to the Bay Area on March 11.

However, the ongoing conflict has changed his plans as he actively tries to flee the region.

"I feel safe now. I'm not anxious about my safety," he said. "My anxiety and stress is toward the disorganization of the U.S. government. I just don't understand how you can send out a statement and say all Americans in the Middle East need to leave now when the airspace is closed."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that a U.S. submarine used a torpedo to sink an Iranian warship named after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a 2020 drone strike ordered by President Trump.

"To make it even worse they say there's a number you should call if you need assistance in the Middle East. I called the number last night and I get a recorded voice message that says do not rely on the U.S. government for help. So, I didn't understand that I signed up for the Hunger Games and it's every man for themselves and may the odds ever be in my favor and every other Americans in the Middle East." Al-Rayess said.

More than 19,000 flights to and from the Middle East have been canceled since Saturday according to aviation analytics company Cirium.

Mr. Capone-E is from Southern California and was also trying to get out of Dubai.

"So today I think I'm on third, fourth day of trying to do it and my flight is supposed to leave tomorrow and guess what, I got a message just before I'm talking to you guys that it's canceled again," Mr. Capone-E said.

Al-Rayess said the United Arab Emirates government has been very helpful to those who are stranded waiting to fly home.