State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom” on Thursday that 20,000 Americans have now returned home from the Middle East since the launch of Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

“The safety and security of the American people is our highest priority. To that end, we have a 24/7 task force that has been activated to surge resources to communicate security guidance and also assist with travel options for people that want to come home,” Pigott said in an interview with Fox News’ Dana Perino.

“Charter flights are underway. Currently we’ve seen 20,000 Americans be able to return to the United States since this began, including 10,000 Americans that have been directly assisted by that task force,” he added. “These charter flights are at no cost to American citizens.”

The U.S. has urged Americans to leave 14 countries across the Middle East following counterattacks by the Iranian regime.