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The State Department has called on all Americans in the Middle East to depart immediately from more than a dozen countries due to escalating violence amid the war with Iran.

Getting into it: In a statement, State Department officials warned that US citizens should “DEPART NOW” from multiple countries in the region “using available commercial transportation, due to serious safety risks,” according to Mora Namdar, the department’s assistant secretary for consular affairs. The warning applies to Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. Officials said Americans who need help leaving should contact the State Department’s 24 hour emergency hotline and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for security alerts and updates.

The advisory comes as the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran continues to escalate, with Iran launching retaliatory strikes targeting US bases and assets across the region. Iranian missile and drone attacks have hit or threatened locations in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait, raising fears the conflict could spread further.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a video message that “our number one priority is the safety and security of American citizens everywhere in the world,” urging those in affected countries to remain vigilant and seek immediate ways to leave if it is safe to do so.

This comes as leaving the region has become increasingly difficult because the conflict intensifies. Iranian strikes and regional security concerns have forced several countries to temporarily close their airspace, disrupting commercial flights and limiting travel options. Some major airports in the Gulf, including Dubai International Airport, have experienced closures or disruptions, leaving travelers stranded.