OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
8:11 PM – Thursday, February 5, 2025
The U.S. State Department, via the U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran, issued an urgent security alert for all American citizens in Iran on Thursday, demanding an immediate departure as the country descends into a deepening crisis marked by nationwide internet blackouts, military-grade security measures and the collapse of international travel routes.
This follows after officials from both the United States and Iran confirmed an agreement to hold nuclear talks in Oman on Friday. The meetings are set to take place in Muscat, and have been publicly acknowledged by representatives from both governments as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts over Iran’s nuclear program.
While Iran has been under a “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory for a while now, the current situation has reportedly escalated significantly due to widespread civil unrest and recently heightened military tensions in the region.
As of Thursday, the Iranian government has effectively severed the country from the global digital landscape. High-intensity disruptions to mobile, landline, and national internet networks have left millions in a “digital isolation,” hampering both emergency communications and the documentation of ongoing civil unrest.
The situation on the ground is described as volatile. Security forces have implemented widespread road closures and disruptions to public transportation. The aviation sector is in similar disarray, as major carriers, including IndiGo and Air India, have cancelled or rerouted flights to avoid Iranian airspace through at least the end of February.
The U.S. is advising citizens to consider departing by land, though options are limited and subject to strict host-country requirements.
“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.”
Additionally, travelers are strictly advised not to attempt crossing into Afghanistan, Iraq, or the Pakistan-Iran border regions due to extreme security risks.
The alert carries a specific, dire warning for U.S.-Iranian dual nationals. Since the Iranian government does not recognize dual citizenship, these individuals are treated solely as Iranians. They must exit using an Iranian passport and face a significantly higher risk of arbitrary arrest or prolonged detention if their American ties are discovered.
“The U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran.”
For those unable to leave immediately, the U.S. government recommends the following “shelter-in-place” protocols:
- Secure logistics: Find a reinforced location within a residence and stockpile food, water and essential medications.
- Low profile: Avoid all demonstrations, as even peaceful gatherings are currently subject to lethal force by security apparatuses.
- Alternative communications: Keep all devices charged and establish check-in windows with family outside the country to account for intermittent outages.
| Destination | Status | Requirements for U.S. Citizens |
| Armenia | Open | Valid U.S. passport – 180 days visa-free. |
| Türkiye | Open | Valid U.S. passport – 90 days visa-free. |
| Turkmenistan | Open | Requires special prior authorization via U.S. Embassy Ashgabat. |
| Azerbaijan | Closed | Routine traffic barred. Entry requires rare, high-level prior approval. |
NOTE: The information provided may be updated periodically
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