Ziggy Ojiegbe

The United States has warned its citizens to leave Iran immediately, citing escalating violence, mass arrests and the risk of arbitrary detention as authorities intensify their crackdown on nationwide protests.

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In an emergency notice issued by the State Department’s Virtual Embassy Tehran, U.S. citizens were told to “Leave Iran now,” warning that even perceived links to the United States could result in detention.

The alert comes as President Donald Trump continues to demand accountability from Iran’s leadership over the killing of protesters during the ongoing uprising, which has drawn international condemnation over allegations of severe repression and human rights abuses.

“There is no U.S. embassy in Iran,” the notice stressed, explaining that Washington has no diplomatic or consular presence in the country. Iran does not recognize dual nationality and treats U.S.-Iranian dual citizens solely as Iranian nationals, a policy that has led to Americans being detained for long periods or denied due process.

The Virtual Embassy warned that “even showing any association with the U.S. in Iran can lead to detention,” and advised citizens to consider leaving through land borders with countries such as Armenia or Türkiye. However, it cautioned that travel safety cannot be guaranteed and urged individuals to leave only when they believe conditions allow.

For those unable to depart immediately, the State Department advised remaining indoors in secure locations, stockpiling food, water and medicine, avoiding protest areas, and staying informed through local media. Citizens were also urged to conserve phone battery power and maintain contact with family and friends.

The notice reiterated that the Swiss Embassy in Tehran serves as the U.S. protecting power in emergencies.

The warning comes amid reports of accelerating executions and fast-track death sentences as Iranian authorities move to suppress dissent. Human rights groups say at least 648 protesters, including nine children, have been killed since demonstrations began, though other sources suggest the toll could be significantly higher.

Iran Human Rights and other organizations have expressed alarm over what they describe as “field courts” and the use of capital punishment to intimidate protesters.

One such case involves Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old arrested at his home in Fardis on 8 January. According to the rights group Hengau, his family was informed four days later that he had been sentenced to death. Authorities have reportedly ordered relatives to visit him in Qazl-Hesar prison, raising fears of an imminent execution.

Hengau said Soltani was denied access to a lawyer of his choice and that his sister, a licensed barrister, was blocked from reviewing his case. His family has not been informed of the charges or trial proceedings.

Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, has publicly hinted at rapid trials and executions for those detained during the protests, despite warnings from Trump that Washington would take “very strong action” if executions proceed.

While some activist groups estimate the death toll at more than 2,500, others fear the figure could be far higher. Sources inside Iran told Euronews that as many as 15,000 people may have been killed, though those figures have not been independently verified.

Details of the crackdown have begun to emerge after authorities partially restored communications that had been cut nationwide during the early days of the protests.