Amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, the United States has issued an urgent travel advisory, urging its citizens in Iran to leave immediately. The Virtual US Embassy in Iran warned Americans to have a departure plan that does not rely on the US government, citing ongoing unrest, internet outages, and possible travel disruptions across the country.
The advisory comes after US President Donald Trump threatened military action in response to Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests that began in late December 2025. Trump has deployed a so-called “armada” to the Gulf, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its escort ships, stationed in the region since late January.
US citizens in Iran were advised to plan alternate communication methods, consider exiting by land to neighboring Armenia or Turkey, and monitor local media for updates. The advisory also urged Americans to maintain basic supplies, stay indoors if necessary, avoid demonstrations, and keep a low profile. Flight cancellations and sudden disruptions are expected, making personal planning essential.
Dual nationals holding both US and Iranian passports were specifically warned that Iranian authorities do not recognize dual citizenship and will treat them solely as Iranian citizens. The advisory highlighted the risk of questioning, arrest, or detention for US nationals and recommended that anyone without a valid US passport apply for one upon departure.
Tensions between the US and Iran remain high, particularly over disagreements about Tehran’s missile program and nuclear negotiations. Turkey, acting as a mediator, is attempting to prevent the standoff from escalating into a wider conflict in the Middle East. President Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the need for high-level talks between the US and Iran to resolve the deadlock following lower-level nuclear discussions in Oman.
With the situation uncertain, the US government has warned that it cannot guarantee the safety of its citizens in Iran, making immediate departure the safest course of action.
