The US has issued a stern warning to its citizens living in Iran to leave the country immediately. The virtual US Embassy stated that the security situation in the country has deteriorated significantly. Growing unrest, restrictions, and travel restrictions pose a serious threat to public safety. The Embassy has clearly urged citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible. Plan your own evacuation and not rely on US government assistance. Official assistance is extremely limited in the current situation. Nationwide protests and unrest in Iran have led to heightened security. Roads are closed, public transportation is disrupted, and internet and mobile and landline services are frequently disrupted. Many airlines have restricted or canceled flights to and from Iran, making evacuation even more difficult. Meanwhile, nuclear talks between the US and Iran are beginning today in Muscat, the capital of Oman. This is the first formal meeting between the two countries in nearly nine months, having been suspended since the June 2025 conflict. The embassy warned that those with dual citizenship are at greater risk. The US warning states that if immediate evacuation is not possible, stay in a safe place. Stock up on food, water, medicine, and essential supplies. Internet blackouts are likely to persist, so consider alternative ways to contact family and friends. The US embassy has warned that those with dual US and Iranian citizenship are at greater risk. Iran does not recognize dual citizenship, so such individuals can only leave with Iranian passports. Displaying a US passport or expressing any connection to the US could result in detention by Iranian authorities, leading to questioning, arrest, or prolonged detention. US citizens without valid US passports have been advised to obtain a passport from the nearest US embassy upon leaving Iran. People are advised to stay away from demonstrations and keep their phones charged. The US government has clarified that due to the lack of diplomatic and consular relations in Iran, it is unable to assist its citizens. US interests are represented by the Swiss Embassy in Tehran. Routine consular services are suspended and the situation shows no signs of improvement, so American citizens have been urged to develop a concrete plan for their own safe evacuation. Important safety advice has also been provided, such as avoiding demonstrations and crowded places, keeping phones charged, maintaining contact with family, and monitoring local media to stay updated on the situation. Ahead of the high-level talks, the White House stated that President Donald Trump favors diplomacy but is also prepared to use force if negotiations fail. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt told reporters on Thursday that Trump wants to see if a deal can be reached during the talks in Oman. She also reiterated Trump’s demand that Iran must have zero nuclear capabilities. She also warned that the president has several options if negotiations fail. US Central Command has confirmed that Iran has the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), the lead ship of Carrier Strike Group 3, engaged in operations. The US has set four conditions for Iran to reach an agreement. Earlier this month, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff outlined four conditions for Iran to reach an agreement. Iran-US Differences Ahead of Talks The US and Iran have agreed to hold talks in Oman on Friday, but there are significant differences between the two sides. The talks were originally scheduled to take place in Turkiye, but late Wednesday night it was announced that the venue had been shifted to Muscat. However, the reason for this was not disclosed. The US wants to include Iran’s missile program in the talks, while Tehran insists that the talks should be limited to the nuclear issue. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has arrived in Muscat with a diplomatic delegation. The US wants the talks to also discuss Iran’s missile program, regional influence, and human rights record, but Iran has clearly stated that it will only discuss the nuclear issue. Iran’s Foreign Minister is scheduled to meet with Trump’s special envoy, Steve Wittkoff, and advisor Jared Kushner. Just before the talks, Iranian state media reported that Tehran had deployed long-range Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missiles at a Revolutionary Guards site. The US has increased its deployment in the Middle East. The US has further strengthened its military presence in the Middle East, deploying the aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Theodore Roosevelt, and several missile destroyers in the Arabian Sea and Red Sea. Air force activity has also increased from military bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Jordan. The US is now in a position to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, military bases, and command centers from both sea and air. Trump, who has been aggressive against Iran since his first term, completely withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), during his first term (2017-2021). This agreement, signed in July 2015 during the Obama administration, included Iran, the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia, China, and the European Union. Under the agreement, Iran imposed several strict limits on its nuclear activities. In return, Iran received exemptions from economic sanctions imposed by the United States and other countries, particularly on oil exports, banking, and trade. This benefited Iran’s economy. During his election campaign, Trump called the agreement the worst deal in the world. He stated that it only delays Iran’s nuclear ambitions, not eliminates them. Iran entered the agreement with malicious intent and previously concealed its nuclear weapons program. He stated that the agreement does not restrict Iran’s other ballistic missile programs, support for regional proxy groups, terrorism, and detention of Americans. On May 8, 2018, Trump announced his withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) at the White House, reimposing all the sanctions that had been lifted under the agreement. Following this, the Trump administration adopted a “maximum pressure” policy, under which 30,000 to 40,000 US troops are deployed in the Middle East. The US military presence in the Middle East (CENTCOM) is currently quite strong. Approximately 30,000 to 40,000 US troops are deployed in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf. Currently, there are approximately 6 naval ships in the Middle East, including 3 guided missile destroyers, capable of ballistic missile defense and other operations. The US has attacked Iran before. Iran has expressed a desire for talks, but has flatly rejected the conditions. Trump referred to the US attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in June. He claimed that the attacks on three facilities, Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, had completely destroyed Iran’s nuclear capability. He said, “People have wanted to do this for 22 years.”
