More than 17,500 American citizens have returned home from the Middle East since late February amid escalating regional tensions, the United States Department of State said.

According to Al Jazeera, Assistant Secretary of State for Global Public Affairs Delaney Johnson shared updated figures in a post on X.

Johnson said that since February 28, over 17,500 Americans have arrived back in the United States. Of those, approximately 8,500 returned on a single day.

The State Department said many US citizens have also relocated from the Middle East to Europe and parts of Asia. Some remain in transit after safely departing the region.

The department added that a 24-hour task force has provided guidance and travel assistance to around 6,500 Americans overseas.

Officials said any US citizen seeking to leave the Middle East would receive all possible assistance.