The United States has issued an urgent directive to its citizens to leave Iran immediately, citing severe security risks and instability caused by ongoing nationwide protests.
The warning was issued on Monday (January 12) by the U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran. The alert cautioned that the civil unrest is intensifying and has the potential to turn increasingly violent, leading to risks of arrest, injury, and major disruptions to daily life.
Escalating Violence and Security Measures
The embassy noted that Iranian authorities have significantly tightened security measures across the country. These heightened operations have resulted in:
Road closures and major disruptions to public transport.
Evacuation Routes and Recommendations
U.S. citizens have been advised to take immediate precautions and not rely on the U.S. government for evacuation assistance.
Land Borders: The embassy suggested that citizens consider leaving the country via land routes through Armenia or Turkey, provided it is safe to do so.
Preparation: For those unable to leave immediately, the embassy advised staying in a secure location, stockpiling emergency supplies, and planning for long-term internet outages.
Severe Risks for Dual Nationals
The alert reiterated the grave dangers faced by individuals with dual citizenship. Because the Iranian government does not recognize dual nationality, it treats U.S.-Iranian citizens solely as Iranians, denying them access to international consular protections.
"The risk of interrogation, arrest, and detention for U.S. citizens is extremely high," the warning stated. "Simply presenting a U.S. passport or showing ties to the United States can be sufficient grounds for Iranian authorities to detain an individual."
Dual nationals attempting to leave were reminded that they must use their Iranian passports to exit the country.
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