- SardineAI CEO Ranjan says he is stranded in Dubai.
- He claims the US has no evacuation plan in place.
- Other countries have begun repatriating their citizens.
- The State Department issued a helpline but no evacuation flights.
- Ranjan says canceled US-bound flights have worsened the crisis.
An Indian-American entrepreneur and CEO of US-based startup SardineAI has publicly criticized the US government for what he described as a lack of action to rescue American citizens stranded in Dubai amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Ranjan, who shared his concerns in a post on X, said he traveled to Dubai for business meetings with financial institutions focused on combating financial fraud. However, as the regional crisis intensified, he found himself unable to return to the United States.
“I am a proud US citizen and founder of a successful startup that employs 94 employees in the US and 180+ employees globally. I was in Dubai on a business trip … but now I am stranded,” he wrote.
Ranjan said that after four days of “adrenalin and constant fear,” he feels “demoralized and abandoned” by his government. He expressed frustration watching other countries — including the UK, Israel, Spain, Italy, France, and India — actively repatriate their citizens or ensure that commercial flights continue operating to bring them home.
“I became a naturalized US citizen because I believe in the American dream, and the idea that in a crisis, America never leaves its citizens behind,” he wrote. “I see that American dream being shattered not just for me, but for tens of thousands of other Americans left stranded.”
According to Ranjan, he has booked a dozen flights to the US, only to see them canceled. He claimed that while US-bound commercial flights are being called off, flights to other countries are still operating.
The United States Department of State has faced mounting criticism as the crisis enters its fifth day without a formal evacuation plan for Americans in Dubai or the broader Gulf region.
The department has issued a helpline number, 1-202-501-4444, for citizens seeking assistance with departure options. It has also urged Americans in Dubai to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which provides travel updates and alerts.
However, Ranjan said his experience with these measures has been disappointing.
“I am enrolled in STEP and have only received generic messages,” he wrote. He added that when calling the helpline, a recorded message states: “Please don’t rely on the USG for assisted departure or evacuation at this point. There are currently no evacuation flights at this time.”
Ranjan also raised concerns about reduced staffing and funding at US consulates, as well as security threats to US embassies in the region. He questioned whether an emergency hotline could be set up within the United States that provides more direct assistance to stranded citizens.
His comments have resonated online, reflecting broader anxiety among Americans in the Gulf region as uncertainty continues. As of now, US officials have not announced any government-organized evacuation flights, instead advising citizens to monitor commercial travel options and official updates.
