​​​​​​​WASHINGTON

More than 61,000 Americans have left the Middle East and returned to the US since the war with Iran began last month, the State Department said Tuesday.

"State Department personnel worked around the clock to contact Americans who reached out for assistance. The State Department has reached out to every American who reached out for information and assistance," spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in an emailed statement sent to Anadolu.

"The State Department swiftly worked to safeguard American citizens in the Middle East and used a range of options, including charter flights, ground transportation, and coordination with commercial airlines, to ensure the safety of Americans," he added.

The agency said it provided security guidance and travel assistance to more than 41,000 Americans, and arranged for over 50 charter flights for Americans seeking to leave the region.

Tensions in the Middle East have continued to escalate since the US and Israel launched a large-scale attack against Iran on Feb. 28, killing more than 1,300 people, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf countries hosting US military assets. A total of 13 US service members have been killed, and 200 injured since the war began.​​​​​​​