The US Virtual Embassy in Iran issued a security alert on September 19, 2026, ordering American citizens to leave the country immediately, citing escalating regional security risks, ongoing civil unrest, and significant disruptions to travel infrastructure. Iran maintains a Level 4 « Do Not Travel » designation, the most severe warning issued by the US State Department, due to persistent risks of terrorism, arbitrary detention, and civil instability. Land routes to Armenia or Turkey are recommended as the safest exit options, and the embassy warns that simply displaying a US passport may increase the risk of detention. The US government has made clear it will not provide assistance to citizens for organizing their departure. The United States has maintained no physical embassy in Iran since the 1979-1980 hostage crisis, with Switzerland providing limited consular protection.
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