American Tourist's Harrowing Escape from Middle East Conflict
An American tourist has recounted her terrifying experience evacuating the Middle East as Iran launched retaliatory attacks against Israel. This follows a US-backed Israeli operation over the weekend that resulted in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
From Spiritual Pilgrimage to Bomb Shelter
Susie Keepper, a resident of Oklahoma City originally from Lamar, Missouri, embarked on a guided trip to Israel and Jordan with Gate 1 Travel on February 21. Initially, her journey was one of spiritual discovery. On Wednesday, she posted on social media, 'If you ever doubted if Jesus is real, come to The Sea of Galilee and surrounding towns or Jerusalem and your doubts will vanish. This country has proof that Jesus lived and continues to live in Christians.'
However, the situation deteriorated rapidly. By Friday, Keepper reported that personnel at the American Embassy were fleeing, and her tour group began a two-day journey towards Jordan seeking safety. This coincided with the United States and Israel launching a coordinated attack on Iran on Friday night, which killed Khamenei and triggered a massive Iranian retaliation across the region.
Trapped in Jerusalem Amidst Sirens and Strikes
Stranded in Jerusalem, Keepper's group had intended to reach Tel Aviv's airport, but KLM Royal Dutch Airlines had suspended all flights. By 11 PM PST, air raid sirens were sounding throughout Israel. Her group was denied entry into Jordan and forced to take immediate shelter.
That night, she expressed her fear on social media: 'I am just a little farm girl from southwest Missouri right in the middle of the forthcoming war in the Middle East. Warnings and sirens are going off again. The two main targets are Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. I am near Jerusalem in a shelter. I’m just a little girl from southwest Missouri who is scared to death. The airport is closed down, and I can’t get to Jordan. I am in God’s hands.'
In a separate post, she shared photographs of the concrete, cold bomb shelter, captioning it, 'It is all concrete and cold. Lord, I want to be with my family. I am beyond scared.'
A Perilous Journey to Safety
Keepper informed Fox 40 that she spent Saturday night at a hotel near the Egyptian border, enduring additional raids and further time in bomb shelters. By Sunday, her group had successfully crossed into Egypt. However, they faced a grueling ten-hour bus journey to Cairo. Upon arrival, Gate 1 Travel pledged to arrange flights home for the tourists at the earliest possible opportunity.
US Defense Secretary Defends Decisive Strike
In his first public briefing since the attacks commenced, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth staunchly defended America's decision to strike Iran. Speaking at a Pentagon press conference in Arlington, Virginia, on Monday, Hegseth stated, 'We didn't start this war, but under President Trump, we are finishing it.'
He somberly noted, 'War is hell and it always will be,' as a fourth US soldier was confirmed dead following Iranian strikes on a base in Kuwait. Outlining the mission's objectives, Hegseth clarified that regime change was not the goal: 'This operation is a clear, devastating decisive mission. Destroy the missile threat. Destroy the Navy. No nukes.'
Concluding his address, Hegseth affirmed, 'Know this above all, President Trump and I have your back always through fire, through criticism, through fake news, through everything we unleash you because you are the best, most powerful, most lethal fighting force the world has ever seen.'
President Trump Addresses Casualties and Timeline
Former President Donald Trump broke his silence on Sunday regarding the first US casualties of the conflict in an exclusive phone interview with the Daily Mail. 'They're great people,' Trump said of the fallen soldiers. 'And, you know, we expect that to happen, unfortunately. Could happen continuously - it could happen again.'
Trump also revealed a potential timeline for the war, suggesting hostilities could persist for approximately four weeks. 'It's always been a four-week process. We figured it will be four weeks or so. It's always been about a four-week process so - as strong as it is, it's a big country, it'll take four weeks - or less,' the former president explained, adding that he had not been surprised by any outcomes of the strikes thus far.
