The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs issued an urgent security alert on Thursday warning American citizens in Iran to be prepared to shelter in place amid rising tensions across the Middle East.
The warning comes as regional tensions continue to escalate, prompting a wider U.S. government effort to alert Americans abroad about increasing risks linked to the ongoing conflict with Iran.
In recent days, the State Department has issued multiple alerts, including a worldwide alert on March 22 urging Americans across the globe to exercise increased caution as groups supportive of Iran may target U.S. interests in several countries. The department has maintained its highest-level travel advisory for Iran, warning Americans not to travel there under any circumstances and to leave immediately if already in the country.
The U.S. says citizens face extreme risks including terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary detention and the possibility that Iranian authorities may prevent their departure. In the travel warning, the department said that “some U.S. nationals have been held for years on false charges, subjected to torture, and even sentenced to death.”
Newsweek reached out to the State Department through online contact form for comment.
The security alert update issued on Thursday urged any Americans who hadn’t yet departed Iran to shelter in place and stay away from windows.
“If you choose not to take advantage of available departure options, including commercial options, you should be prepared to shelter in place in a secure location within your residence or another safe building,” the U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs posted on X on Thursday morning. “Have a supply of food, water, medications, and other essential items.”
The warning reiterated that Americans should not travel to Afghanistan, Iraq or the Pakistan-Iran border area, citing ongoing instability. Land routes to Armenia, Turkey and Turkmenistan remain open, though travelers were urged to check route-specific details. Azerbaijan’s land borders remain closed to routine traffic.
Officials warned that the Iranian government may block U.S. citizens from departing or impose an exit fee, and that dual U.S.-Iranian nationals must exit using an Iranian passport. Americans remain at significant risk of questioning, arrest and detention.
Americans Told Not To Travel to These Countries
Level 4 Do Not Travel warnings have been issued for Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Burma, Central African Republic, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen. Level 4 travel advisories are reviewed at least every six months.
“This is the highest advisory level due to life-threatening risks,” the State Department said on its travel advisory website. “Specific risks are described in the Travel Advisory. The U.S. government may have very limited or no ability to help, including during an emergency. We advise that U.S. citizens do not travel to the country, or to leave as soon as it is safe to do so.”
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