U.S. Virtual Embassy Issues Urgent Evacuation Alert for Citizens in Iran Amid Violent Protests
Iranian people wave the country’s flags under a portrait of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, during an unveiling ceremony of a statue of the Islamic leader of the Shi’ite Muslims, Imam Ali, the father of Imam al-Hussain, in southern Tehran, Iran, on January 3, 2026. (Photo by Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran issued an emergency security alert on Monday, January 12, 2026, urging all American citizens to depart the country immediately as nationwide anti-government protests escalate and grow increasingly violent. The advisory warns of widespread security crackdowns, including significant road closures, public transportation failures, and a near-total blackout of internet and telecommunications networks across the country.
According to the State Department, the Iranian government has restricted mobile and landline access, while many international airlines have suspended or canceled flights through Friday, January 16. With no formal diplomatic presence in Tehran, the U.S. government warned it has a severely limited ability to provide emergency services and urged citizens to arrange their own departures without relying on federal assistance.
For those attempting to flee, the embassy suggested departing by land through the borders of Armenia or Turkey, provided it is safe to do so. American citizens, particularly dual U.S.-Iranian nationals, were warned that they face a heightened risk of arbitrary questioning, arrest, and detention, as the Iranian government does not recognize dual citizenship and treats such individuals solely as Iranian nationals.
For those currently unable to leave, the alert recommends finding a secure location, maintaining a low profile, and stocking up on at least several days’ worth of food, water, and essential medications. The current unrest, which began in late December 2025 over soaring inflation and the collapse of the national currency, has reportedly resulted in hundreds of deaths and over 10,000 arrests, marking some of the most severe civil instability in Iran in decades.
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