The State Department announced Thursday that nearly 20,000 Americans have returned home from the Middle East since U.S. military strikes against Iran began on Saturday.

Assistant Secretary of State Dylan Johnson said in a press release that the figure does not include Americans who have relocated to other countries or who are currently in the process of traveling back to the United States.

The announcement comes as the U.S. and Israel conduct military operations against Iran in the region. The State Department has not provided additional details about the evacuation process or the specific locations from which Americans have departed.

The Trump administration is facing criticism regarding its response to Americans located in the conflict zone, according to reports. Some Americans reportedly have struggled to receive assistance from State Department officials during the ongoing military operations.

The State Department has not released information about how many Americans may still remain in the affected areas or provided a timeline for additional evacuation efforts.