The State Department has authorized the use of up to $40 million in emergency funds to pay for evacuation charter flights for Americans to leave the Middle East due to disruptions in transportation caused by the Iran war. That's according to two U.S. officials who aren't authorized to comment publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The State Department had approved the use of money from a fund normally reserved for emergencies involving diplomatic and consular staff. The department confirmed the use of the emergency funds but declined to specify the amount.
