Ahead of the planned U.S.-Iran talks, the U.S. virtual embassy in Iran warned American citizens to leave the country amid heightened security, road closures, public transportation disruptions, widespread internet restrictions and continued airline flight cancellations.
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According to the official website of the virtual US Embassy in Iran, “US citizens should expect continued internet outages, plan for alternative means of communication, and if safe to do so, consider flying from Iran overland to Armenia or Türkiye.”
1. Leave Iran now. Have a plan for leaving Iran that does not rely on US government assistance.
2. Cancellations and flight disruptions are possible with little warning. Check with your airlines directly for updates.
3. If you cannot leave, find a safe place in your residence or another safe building. Stock up on food, water, medicine and other essentials.
Read also | Iran-US talks resume Friday: What to expect amid Trump’s ‘deal or strike’ threat.
The embassy advised citizens to avoid demonstrations, keep a low profile and be attentive to their surroundings. He urged people to monitor local media for the latest developments, be prepared to change plans if necessary, keep their phones charged and stay in touch with family and friends to update them on their condition.
The US government cannot guarantee your safety if you choose to depart using the following options. You should only leave if you believe it is safe to do so, the US virtual embassy in Iran said.
Nuclear talks between Iran and the US
Iran and the United States were due to resume talks in Oman on Friday, focused at least in part on Tehran’s nuclear program, after a turbulent week that initially included plans for broader regional talks in Turkey.
The talks mark a return to Oman, a sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula, months after previous rounds of dialogue collapsed following Israel’s 12-day war against Iran in June.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported Thursday evening that Araghchi had arrived in Muscat to attend the talks.
According to an AFP report, Iran’s foreign ministry said Thursday night that it had a “responsibility not to miss any opportunity to use diplomacy” to preserve peace, adding that it hoped Washington would participate in the discussions “responsibly, realistically and seriously.”
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The meeting comes less than a month after the height of nationwide protests in Iran against the clerical leadership, which rights groups say has been met with a crackdown that has left thousands dead.
“They are negotiating,” US President Donald Trump said of Iran on Thursday.
“They don’t want us to hit them, we have a big fleet there,” he added, referring to a group of aircraft carriers he repeatedly referred to as an “armada.”
(With input from agencies)
