US issues fresh travel warning for its citizens in Iran: 'Leave now...'

Iran has been gripped by nationwide protests for weeks

• US Embassy urges Americans to exit Iran due to rising protests and instability.
• Flights to and from Iran are limited or cancelled; internet outages persist
• US-Iranian dual nationals face higher detention risk, must use Iranian passports

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The US Embassy in Iran has asked American citizens to leave the country immediately, warning that protests across the region are intensifying and could turn violent.

Warning that condition in Iran remains unstable, the US Embassy urged American nationals to exercise caution and take immediate precautionary measures.

“Protests across Iran are escalating. Increased security measures, road closures, public transportation disruptions, and internet blockages are ongoing. Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran, with several suspending service until Friday, January 16. US 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 embassy wrote on X.

It also issued specific guidance for dual nationals, underlining the risks they face while being in the country.

"US-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports. The Iranian government does not recognize dual nationality and will treat US-Iranian dual nationals solely as Iranian citizens. US nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran. Showing a US passport or demonstrating connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone," the advisory read.

Further, it highlighted actions to be undertaken by the US citizens in view of the current situation – including leaving Iran or finding a secure location there if immediate exit is not possible, avoiding demonstrations and keeping a low profile, monitoring local media and keeping a track of surroundings, among others.

Iran: Protests across Iran are escalating. Increased security measures, road closures, public transportation disruptions, and internet blockages are ongoing. Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran, with several suspending service until Friday, January 16.… pic.twitter.com/AneGPdfn6I

— TravelGov (@TravelGov) January 12, 2026

Protests in Iran

Iran has been gripped by nationwide protests for weeks, beginning on December 28 over soaring prices before evolving into broader anti-government demonstrations against the clerical leadership that has ruled the country for nearly five decades.

According to the Human Rights News Agency, at least 544 people have been killed and more than 10,681 arrested and sent to prison.