American Airlines and United Airlines have both suspended their only remaining passenger flights to the Middle East, citing security concerns amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran.
In a statement to The Epoch Times, American confirmed that it has suspended its daily flights between Philadelphia and Doha, Qatar, until at least June 22, effectively halting all service to the Middle East. The move comes as tensions remain high in the region after Israel’s June 13 airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites triggered a series of retaliatory drone and missile attacks by Iran.
“American Airlines has made changes to its Doha, Qatar (DOH) flight operations, temporarily suspending flights between DOH and Philadelphia (PHL) through Sunday, June 22,” the airline said in an email sent on June 19. “We are monitoring the situation with safety and security in mind and will make additional adjustments as necessary.”
Citing regional unrest, a United spokesperson told The Epoch Times via email that their only active Middle East route has been suspended.
“Due to the conflict in the region, United’s daily flights between Newark and Dubai (DXB) have been suspended,” a spokesperson said. “United continues to monitor the situation and is working to assist our customers with this disruption.”
“As a precautionary measure and in light of regional hostilities, the U.S. Embassy has advised its employees to exercise extreme caution and has temporarily restricted access to Al Udeid Air Base,” the warning said. “We encourage U.S. citizens in Qatar to take similar precautions.”
The embassy advised Americans in Qatar to avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, stay away from areas with a heavy police presence, monitor local media, follow the instructions of local authorities, and maintain a low profile, especially in places publicly associated with the United States.
The flight cancellations and tighter security measures come amid rising tensions over the conflict between Israel and Iran, which exchanged fresh air strikes on June 19, raising fears that major powers could intervene and further undermine regional stability.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Trump administration has taken steps to bolster the U.S. military presence in the region. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced over the weekend that additional U.S. troops will be deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility, which includes the Middle East.
The president concluded his series of warnings with a new call for unconditional surrender by the Iranian regime.
Meanwhile, while Israeli forces have succeeded in damaging several Iranian nuclear facilities, they have so far failed to destroy the Fordow uranium enrichment plant, a fortified facility buried deep underground. Defense analysts say an attack on Fordow would likely require the U.S. military’s massive 30,000-pound GBU-57 ballistic missile launcher, which can only be delivered by the American B-2 stealth bomber. Israel has neither the bomb nor the aircraft.
Trump told reporters at the White House on June 18 that he had several concepts for how the United States should proceed in the conflict, but added that he would wait until the last minute to make a decision.
“I like to make a final decision a second before it’s due,” Trump said. “In war, everything can go from one extreme to the other.”
