Have a plan to leave Iran without US help: US advises citizens amid protests

The United States has issued an urgent advisory telling its citizens to leave Iran immediately, a day after issuing a similar warning, citing the risk of detention as protests across the country continue to escalate.

In a notice released on Tuesday, the US virtual embassy in Tehran directed Americans to consider departing Iran by land to Turkiye or Armenia. It also warned US citizens not to travel to Afghanistan, Iraq, or the Pakistan-Iran border region.

"Have a plan for departing Iran that does not rely on US government help," the advisory read, noting that the US has currently no diplomatic or consular presence in the country.

For those unable to leave immediately, the department advised sheltering in place. "If you cannot leave, find a secure location within your residence or another safe building," the notice said.

The warning also called on Americans to avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile and remain alert. "Monitor local media for breaking news. Be prepared to adjust your plans," it said, while advising travellers to keep phones charged and use alternative communication methods if needed.

The advisory carried particularly stark warnings for US-Iranian dual nationals. Iran does not recognise dual citizenship and treats dual nationals solely as Iranian citizens, the notice said.

"US nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest and detention in Iran," the advisory warned. "Showing a US passport or demonstrating connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone."

IRAN BLAMES US AND FOREIGN POWERS

Iran’s leadership has repeatedly blamed the US and other foreign powers for fuelling the unrest gripping the country. Tehran’s foreign ministry has accused Washington and Israel of interfering in Iran’s internal affairs, alleging that their statements and actions have encouraged and "stoked" violent protests.

This comes as US President Donald Trump urged all Iranians to continue protesting and taking to the streets, assuring that help is on the way without providing further details, signing off with "Make Iran Great Again (MIGA)."

With the death toll surpassing 2,400 in Iran, Trump described the protesters as “patriots” and urged them to take control of the institutions in a Truth Social post.

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With inputs from agencies