US Urges Citizens to Leave Iran Amid Safety Concerns
The U.S. virtual embassy in Iran issued a warning on Friday, telling Americans to “leave Iran now.” The advisory highlights the ongoing disruptions and heightened safety measures in the region.
According to the alert, there are persistent issues like road closures, disturbances in public transport, and internet outages. The Iranian government is limiting access to mobile phones, landlines, and the internet. Additionally, airlines are continuing to restrict or cancel flights to and from the country.
The embassy also mentioned that citizens should prepare for continued internet interruptions. It advised travelers to consider land routes to Armenia or Türkiye if they need to exit the country.
Land borders with Armenia (Agarak/Norduz) and Turkey (Gülbrak/Bazargan, Kapkoy/Razi, Esendere/Antelope) remain open. Turkmenistan’s borders are also accessible.
Meanwhile, Azerbaijan has closed its border to normal traffic and cautioned U.S. citizens against traveling to Afghanistan, Iran, or the Pakistan-Iran border area.
In a separate but related note, U.S. officials are engaging in diplomatic discussions with Iranian representatives in Oman, involving Special Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. They aim to address concerns related to Iran’s nuclear program and its support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
In December, the State Department had already classified Iran as a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” destination. The warning stemmed from concerns over terrorism, violence, potential kidnapping, and the arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens.
Officials reiterated that the U.S. government lacks diplomatic relations with Iran. Instead, Swiss officials, through their embassy in Tehran, are responsible for protecting U.S. interests in the nation.
The travel advisory system utilized by the State Department helps individuals assess risks before visiting foreign countries. It comprises four levels: Level 1 for normal precautions, Level 2 for increased caution, Level 3 for reconsidering travel, and Level 4, which denotes a prohibition on travel.
