US Urges Citizens To Leave Iran Immediately As Unrest Escalates

The United States has advised its citizens to leave Iran without delay, citing growing security risks amid escalating unrest across the country.

In an updated travel alert released on Monday, the U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran warned Americans currently in Iran to prepare for worsening conditions and to consider exiting as soon as it is safe to do so.

“U.S. citizens should expect continued internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Türkiye,” the virtual embassy said in a statement on its website.

The advisory also reminded U.S.-Iranian dual nationals that they must leave Iran using Iranian passports, as the Iranian government does not recognise dual citizenship.

“U.S. nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran,” the statement added.

The warning comes as commercial air travel remains disrupted. According to the notice, several airlines have reduced or cancelled flights to and from Iran, with some suspensions expected to last until Friday.

Iran has long been classified by the U.S. Department of State as a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” destination, the highest risk category. The designation advises Americans not to travel to Iran under any circumstances and urges those already there to depart immediately due to severe security concerns.

Earlier on Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. remains open to diplomatic engagement with Iran but stressed that other options are still on the table.

“What President Donald Trump will do next only he knows. So the world will have to keep waiting and guessing, and we will let him decide,” she said during an interview on Fox News.

President Trump echoed the warning tone on Sunday, stating that his administration is considering “some very strong options,” including possible military action, and said Iran was “starting” to cross a U.S. red line.

The United States does not maintain an embassy or consular services in Iran. The Swiss Embassy in Tehran serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests, though its assistance is limited.

Iran has experienced widespread protests since late December, driven by a sharp decline in the national currency, the rial, and ongoing economic hardships. Reports indicate that the death toll from clashes between security forces and civilians continues to rise as unrest spreads across multiple cities.