“Leave Iran immediately. Develop an exit plan from Iran that does not depend on US government assistance. […] If you are unable to leave, find a safe place inside your home or another safe building. Stock up on food, water, medicine and other necessary things,” the message says.
Americans in Iran were also urged to avoid rallies, “keep a low profile” and be aware of their surroundings.
The reasons for such recommendations include increased security measures in Iran, road closures, disruption of public transport, and blocking of the Internet.
“The Government of Iran continues to restrict access to the mobile, landline and national Internet network. Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran. US citizens should […] consider the possibility of leaving Iran by land to Armenia or Turkey,” the release said.
Its authors warn that persons with citizenship of both the United States and Iran must travel from Iran using Iranian passports, since official Tehran does not recognize dual citizenship and will consider them “exclusively as citizens of Iran.”
“U.S. citizens are at significant risk of interrogation, arrest and detention in Iran. Presentation of a U.S. passport or proof of ties to the United States may be sufficient cause for detention by Iranian authorities,” the embassy explained.
Americans were also discouraged from traveling to Afghanistan, Iraq and the border region between Pakistan and Iran.
“The US government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Swiss government, through its embassy in Tehran, acts as the protector of US interests in Iran,” US diplomats noted.
The last time the United States recommended that its compatriots leave Iran was on January 14, when Iranian authorities were suppressing mass protests.
Context
On January 2, White House President Donald Trump warned that the United States could intervene if Iranian authorities suppress peaceful mass anti-government protests that began in late December. last year. On January 22, human rights activists reported that the number of deaths during the protests could reach 22 thousand people.
Later it became known about the transfer of Pentagon forces to the Middle East on January 25, including the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.
On January 28, Trump demanded that Iran come to the negotiating table to reach a “fair and just agreement – without nuclear weapons.” He warned that the next US strike “will be much worse” than last year's strikes on Iran's three nuclear sites.
However, the media wrote on February 3 that Trump does not want to attack Iran.
The US and Iran are trying to negotiate. February 4, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reportedthat they will take place February 6 in Oman.
