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of Iran US Virtual Embassy We are telling American citizens still in the country to leave the country immediately.
Tuesday warning The attack comes as more than 600 people have been killed in ongoing anti-government protests, according to activist groups. The US-based Human Rights Defenders News Agency said 512 of the dead were protesters and 134 were members of Iranian security forces, the Associated Press reported.
The U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran said on its website, “Leave Iran now. We want you to make a plan to leave Iran that does not rely on assistance from the U.S. government,” and suggested crossing overland to Armenia or Turkey if it is “safe.”
“If you are unable to leave your home, find a safe place within your residence or another safe building. Bring food, water, medicine, and other necessities,” it added.
Iran begins hanging protesters, first execution related to anti-regime protests
Iranian demonstrators gather on the streets during a protest against the collapse of the currency’s value in Tehran, Iran, January 8, 2026. (Stringer/WANA/Reuters)
The embassy also said: “Protests are escalating across Iran and may turn violent, resulting in arrests and injuries. Increased security, road blockades, public transport disruptions and internet shutdowns continue.” “The Iranian government has restricted access to mobile phones, landlines and the country’s internet network. Airlines continue to have restrictions in place.” Limit or cancel flights There are flights to and from Iran, and some flights will be suspended until Friday, January 16th. ”
The protests began late last month with demonstrations by shopkeepers and bazaar shopkeepers. accelerating inflation And last year, the rial collapsed, losing about half its value against the dollar. Inflation exceeded 40% in December.
Iranians block a road and gather during a protest in Kermanshah, Iran, January 8, 2026. (Kamran/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
The violence quickly spread to universities and local cities, where young people clashed with security forces.
“Dual U.S.-Iranian nationals must leave Iran with an Iranian passport. The Iranian government does not recognize dual citizenship and intends to treat dual U.S.-Iranian nationals simply as Iranian citizens,” the embassy said. “Americans are at significant risk of being interrogated, arrested, and detained in Iran. Presenting a U.S. passport or proving ties to the U.S. can be enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone.”
“Turkmenistan’s land border is open, but U.S. nationals require special permission from the Turkmenistan government before approaching the border,” the embassy said. “U.S. nationals who urgently need to leave Iran via Azerbaijan should be aware that U.S. nationals’ entry into Azerbaijan from Iran is restricted during periods of heightened tensions, such as the June 2025 Iran-Israel conflict.”
Iranians block a road and gather during a protest in Tehran, Iran, January 9, 2026. (MAHSA / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)
“The U.S. government has no diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” the U.S. Virtual Embassy continued. “The Swiss government, acting through its embassy in Tehran, plays a role in protecting U.S. interests in Iran.”
Ahead of the ongoing protests, announced by the State Department In December, a “Level 4 – Travel Ban” advisory was issued to the Islamic Republic of Iran.
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At the time, the government urged Americans not to visit the country “due to the risk of terrorism, insurrection, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, and unlawful detention of U.S. citizens.”
Fox News’ Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.
