US citizens flee Iran, Israel

Hundreds of US citizens have departed Iran using land routes over the past week as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates, according to an internal State Department cable seen by the Reuters news agency.

While many left without problem, “numerous” citizens had faced “delays and harassment” while trying to exit the country, the cable said. One family had reported that two US citizens attempting to leave Iran had been detained.

The US and Iran do not have diplomatic ties, complicating any evacuation efforts.

Meanwhile, the US evacuated 79 staff and family members from the US embassy in Israel on Friday, according to a State Department memo obtained by The Associated Press.