U.S. virtual embassy orders Americans to “Leave Iran now,” urges land exits

“Leave Iran now,” the U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran declared in a security alert posted Feb. 6, instructing American citizens to prepare departure plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance because such assistance is “severely limited.” The advisory warned of nationwide disruptions and a “significant risk of questioning, arrest, or detention” and urged U.S. nationals to avoid demonstrations and “maintain a low profile at all times.”

The alert painted a picture of mounting logistical constraints. It cited road closures, disruptions to public transportation, widespread internet blockages and restrictions on mobile and landline networks. Airlines have been limiting or canceling flights to and from Iran, the embassy warned, and advised Americans that they should “expect continued internet outages [and] plan alternative means of communication.” As a practical alternative, the advisory told U.S. citizens that “if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Türkiye.”

The advisory also cautioned against travel to several border zones and neighboring countries. It said U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan, Iraq, or the Pakistan-Iran border area, and it flagged that entry into Azerbaijan from Iran has in past periods of heightened tension been restricted for U.S. citizens. The alert noted that such restrictions occurred during the June 2025 conflict between Iran and Israel and said travelers should “consider alternative routes for departure from Iran.” The message added that, if entry into Azerbaijan is unavoidable, prior approvals may be required and could be facilitated through the U.S. embassy in Baku with extended wait times expected.

The notice underscored the limits of U.S. consular capacity inside Iran. It reiterated that “the U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran” and reminded readers that “the Swiss government, acting through its embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran.” The Swiss Embassy’s Foreign Interests Section in Tehran provides emergency services for U.S. citizens, the alert said, while routine consular services remain available only at U.S. embassies or consulates outside Iran.

The advisory arrived as U.S. and Iranian officials were due to meet in Oman for a new round of negotiations. U.S. envoys scheduled to participate included Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, while Iran’s delegation was led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The security message follows a previous State Department warning on Jan. 14 that had urged Americans to leave amid heightened regional tensions and considerations of possible U.S. actions.

Officials urged Americans in Iran to sign up for alerts and follow official channels for updates, pointing to STEP.state.gov for safety and security alerts and noting that the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs can send alerts via WhatsApp. Journalists and travel advisers should note that some procedural details reported in an online video transcript, including claims about Turkmenistan border approvals and specific email instructions to embassies, remain uncorroborated in official guidance and should not be relied upon without confirmation from the Virtual Embassy or consular authorities.

The combination of restricted travel corridors, shrinking commercial flight options and persistent communications blackouts has sharply reduced options for a rapid, safe departure, complicating evacuation planning for tens to hundreds of U.S. citizens inside Iran. For now, the Virtual Embassy’s blunt directive and the limited consular footprint on the ground make private, ground-based exit plans the most viable option for many Americans.