The US State Department on Monday urged US citizens to “DEPART NOW” from countries throughout the Middle East “due to serious safety risks.”

The post on X from the State Department’s top official for consular affairs called on US citizens to depart “using available commercial travel” from Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

“Americans who need State Department assistance arranging to depart via commercial means, CALL US 24/7 at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad) and +1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. and Canada). ENROLL in http://step.state.gov to get the latest security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate,” Assistant Secretary Mora Namdar wrote.

The urgent message comes amid a barrage of Iranian strikes on countries throughout the Middle East—many specifically targeting US assets—in response to US and Israeli military operations. Many of those countries had urged US citizens to shelter in place.

Source: CNN