As the US–Iran talks are set to begin in Oman, the US Embassy in Iran urged American citizens to plan an immediate exit from the country lest they be detained illegally, with a warning that it could do little in emergency situations as it has little consular access there; in precise terms, Americans were told not to rely on American government assistance, while the talks will focus on the nuclear programme and regional security concerns.
In a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory, the US Department of State said Americans in Iran face severe threats, including terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest and wrongful detention, while emphasising that the US government is unable to provide normal consular assistance inside the country due to the absence of an embassy or consulate.
The advisory underscored that Washington has no diplomatic presence in Iran, restricting its ability to support citizens during emergencies, while noting that Switzerland, which represents US interests as a protecting power, can only offer limited emergency assistance and no longer provides routine services such as passport renewals or notarial work.
American citizens were explicitly warned not to rely on US government assistance if conditions deteriorate, and were urged to make independent plans to depart while commercial routes remain available, as authorities cautioned that communications blackouts, transport disruptions and sudden changes in security conditions are increasingly likely.
The warning placed particular emphasis on the risk of detention, stating that US nationals, including dual US-Iranian citizens, face a serious threat of being held by Iranian authorities, as Iran does not recognise dual nationality and routinely denies consular access to detainees who also hold Iranian citizenship.
The advisory also highlighted the volatile domestic situation in Iran, where protests have frequently erupted and at times turned violent, while pointing to the risk of terrorist attacks and threats to civil aviation, with US aviation authorities maintaining restrictions on flights operating in or near Iranian airspace.
The travel alert comes as Iran and the United States are set to hold talks in Muscat, aimed at addressing Iran’s nuclear programme and broader regional security concerns, with US officials stressing that the advisory is based solely on the safety of American citizens and not on the diplomatic engagement itself.
The talks mark the first such engagement since US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, and take place against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s second-term strategy towards Iran, which analysts describe as unpredictable and driven by maximalist demands extending beyond the nuclear issue to Iran’s missile programme and regional influence.
While Iran has remained under a Level 4 travel advisory for years, the State Department said recent developments reinforce long-standing guidance that Americans should not travel to Iran under any circumstances, and that those currently in the country should leave without delay.