ASIATODAY.ID, WASHINGTON – Washington issues rare no-help warning as unrest explodes, internet goes dark, and Tehran names US and Israel ‘legitimate targets’.
The United States has issued an urgent and unusually blunt security warning, ordering all American citizens in Iran to leave the country immediately, amid escalating unrest and mounting fears of a broader military confrontation.
In a stark advisory released Monday, the US State Department, through the US Virtual Embassy Tehran, warned that Washington will not be able to assist Americans who remain inside the Islamic Republic.
“Leave Iran now,” the advisory states, stressing that the US government “cannot guarantee your safety if you choose to depart.”
Nationwide Unrest, Deadly Clashes, and Communications Blackout
Iran has been gripped by nationwide protests since late December, with deadly clashes reported between demonstrators and security forces. In response, Tehran has imposed severe restrictions on mobile and internet networks, moves the government says are necessary to curb what it calls foreign-backed violence.
According to the US warning, American nationals face a high risk of questioning, arrest, or detention, with authorities cautioning that possession of a US passport alone may be grounds for detention.
Dual US-Iranian nationals were explicitly instructed to exit Iran using only their Iranian passports, underscoring the legal and diplomatic risks involved.
Shelter, Stockpile, and Prepare for the Worst
For Americans unable to leave, the advisory urges immediate survival measures:
“Find a secure location within your residence or another safe building,” and stockpile food, water, medication, and other essential supplies.
Such language, analysts note, is typically reserved for active war zones or imminent state collapse scenarios, highlighting the severity of Washington’s assessment.
War Fears Rise After US-Israel Strikes
Tensions between Tehran, Washington, and Israel have remained dangerously high since summer 2025, when the US joined Israel in strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities.
US President Donald Trump has defended the operation as a preemptive move to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons—claims Tehran has repeatedly denied.
Last week, Trump escalated rhetoric further, saying his administration was weighing “some very strong options,” with airstrikes described as “one of many options on the table.”
Tehran: US and Israeli Bases ‘Legitimate Targets’
Iranian officials have responded with stark warnings of their own, vowing that US and Israeli military bases and personnel would become “legitimate targets” if Washington intervenes again.
Tehran also claims it has evidence of foreign-backed infiltrators, including alleged Mossad operatives, working to destabilize the country and provide a pretext for further Western military action.
A Rare and Chilling Warning
Security experts say the advisory stands out for its lack of evacuation assistance, signaling both limited US leverage on the ground and serious concern over imminent escalation.
As protests rage, communications remain restricted, and war rhetoric intensifies, the message from Washington is unambiguous:
Get out now—or be on your own. (AT Network)
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