The US Virtual Embassy in Iran advised Americans to “leave Iran now.” Washington, DC: The US Virtual Embassy in Iran advised Americans to “Leave Iran now” on Monday (local time), citing the country’s protests as “escalating” and perhaps “turning violent” with “arrests, injuries, and severe disruptions” to daily life. The rallies throughout Iran “may turn violent” due to increased security measures by Iranian authorities, according to the embassy’s advice.
Iranian protests are getting more intense and could get violent, leading to casualties and arrests. The advisory stated that there are still increased security measures, road closures, interruptions to public transportation, and internet restrictions. The Iranian government is said to have “restricted access to mobile, landline, and national internet networks.” A number of airlines have restricted or canceled flights to and from Iran, according to the notice, which also highlighted travel problems. “Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran, with several suspending service until Friday, January 16,” added the statement.
The embassy urged Americans to take immediate safety measures and suggested that they think about traveling by land to Armenia and Turkey from Iran.The advisory also stated that Americans should prepare for future internet outages, find other ways to communicate, and, if it is safe to do so, think about leaving Iran by land and traveling to Armenia or Turkiye.Now get out of Iran. have a strategy for leaving Iran that doesn’t depend on assistance from the US administration,” it stated. The embassy suggested locating a safe place and gathering necessary supplies for anybody who were unable to depart. “If you are unable to evacuate, locate a safe spot inside your home or another secure structure. Keep food, water, medicine, and other necessities on hand,” it continued.
The embassy advised people to “avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile, and stay aware of your surroundings,” as well as to stay flexible with their plans and keep an eye on local media for updates. Serious hazards for US people, especially “dual citizens” were emphasized in the advice.Dual citizens of the United States and Iran must leave Iran using Iranian passports. U.S.-Iranian dual people will be treated exclusively as Iranian citizens by the Iranian government, which does not recognize dual nationality.The advice noted that “showing a U.S. passport or demonstrating connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone,” and that U.S. citizens are at serious danger of being questioned, arrested, and detained in Iran.
The warning coincides with widespread protests in several areas, including the province of Azerbaijan and the central city of Arak, where people were seen waving flags and screaming pro-Iranian slogans, according to Press TV. Following days of unrest amid skyrocketing inflation, economic hardship, and popular outrage over governance, there have been protests and counter-demonstrations. The Human Rights News Agency reports that there have been at least 544 fatalities and over 10,681 arrests and jail transfers. Earlier on Monday (local time), White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that US President Donald Trump still has “all options on the table” when it comes to dealing with Iran, including military force, while stressing that diplomacy is still his preferred initial course of action.
“I think one thing President Trump is very good at is always keeping all of his options on the table, and airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the Commander in Chief,” Leavitt said in response to a question about Iran and whether the ongoing protests could end without military intervention. The president’s first choice is always diplomacy.
