The United States urged its citizens to leave Iran immediately via land borders to Armenia or Turkey as protests escalate and airlines suspend flights, the US State Department reported on January 12.

The State Department said protests across Iran are escalating and may turn violent, resulting in arrests and injuries. Increased security measures, road closures, public transportation disruptions and internet blockages are ongoing, with the Iranian government restricting access to mobile, landline and national internet networks.

Protests that began on December 29 following the rial's collapse have continued despite a near-total internet blackout imposed on January 8. Human rights organisations have documented at least 650 deaths through January 13, though US and Israeli officials suggest the actual toll is significantly higher.

Airlines continue to limit or cancel flights to and from Iran, with several suspending service until January 16, according to the alert issued by the Virtual Embassy Tehran.

"U.S. citizens should expect continued internet outages, plan alternative means of communication, and, if safe to do so, consider departing Iran by land to Armenia or Türkiye," the State Department said.

The Iranian government has disconnected the internet across Iran and reportedly also jammed satellite internet system Starlink in recent days, according to previous reports from bne IntelliNews. 

The Armenian land border at Agarak/Norduz remains open as of January 12. US citizens entering Armenia from Iran need a valid US passport and may stay for up to 180 days visa-free, the alert said.

Turkish land border crossings with Iran remain open at Gürbulak/Bazargan, Kapıköy/Razi and Esendere/Serow as of January 12, according to the State Department.

The alert warned that US-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports, as the Iranian government does not recognise dual nationality and treats dual nationals solely as Iranian citizens. "U.S. nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran. Showing a U.S. passport or demonstrating connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone," the State Department said.

The US government stated it cannot guarantee safety for those choosing to depart using land border options and advised citizens to leave only if they believe it is safe to do so.

Turkmenistan's land borders are open but US citizens need special authorisation from the Turkmen government before approaching the border, with the US Embassy in Ashgabat required to facilitate approval, the alert said.

The State Department warned that entry into Azerbaijan from Iran has been restricted for US citizens during periods of heightened tension, such as the June 2025 conflict between Iran and Israel, and advised citizens to consider alternative routes.

The US government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for US interests in Iran.

Expatriate-based news network Manoto previously reported that French diplomatic staff have also departed the Iranian capital in recent hours; however, French news agency AFP has not yet confirmed the report.