Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a message to Americans in the Middle East, emphasizing that their safety remains the agency’s top priority.

“At the Department of State, our number one priority is the safety and the security of American citizens everywhere in the world,” Rubio said. “I wanted to take this chance to speak directly to Americans who are in the Middle East about the work we are doing to try to keep you safe.”

Rubio urged Americans abroad to register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. He also encouraged them to join the WhatsApp “U.S. Citizens Channel” for security updates.

The message came about an hour after the State Department advised Americans to depart several countries. The advisory listed Iran, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates.

The U.S. ambassador in Israel added that Americans there should leave through Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.