The new circulation of a US State Department advisory urging US citizens to “leave Iran now” has sparked panic across social media. X’s posts described the advice as “breaking”, although some users pointed out that the warning is not new.
The warning stressed that Americans should not rely on the US government to help them leave, as Washington has no embassy or consular service in Iran. (File photo/Reuters)The guidance was issued in mid-January 2026 and reiterated with subsequent security updates.
U.S. citizens in Iran are advised to leave immediately due to security risks posed by ongoing protests, civil unrest and threats of detention. Officials stressed that the absence of a U.S. embassy in Tehran and limited consular access meant Americans should not rely on U.S. government assistance to get out of Iran.
Fear and speculationThe suggestion’s resurgence has sparked a wave of backlash online. Some users openly speculated about military action, with one post asking, “Are they planning an attack there?” Others linked the warning to more than two months of protests in Iran, citing concerns for public safety.
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Another post read, “War is coming…?”, while others drew advisories as a sign of impending intervention.
But several users dismissed the warning as repetitive, claiming it was the “third memo” and calling into question how many Americans actually live in Iran.
The sarcasm also marked the response segments, such as the comment “for 3757636 times” and references to the alleged “heavy dose of vitamin B2” along the way.
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According to Groke, the US State Department’s call for citizens to leave Iran was first issued on January 13, 2026, with the next security alert update on February 6, repeating the same directive rather than announcing a new development.
What the advisor saidAccording to the U.S. Virtual Embassy in Iran, the advisory cited growing protests across Iran that could turn violent and lead to arrests and injuries. Authorities have warned of tight security, road closures, public transport disruptions and widespread internet shutdowns, as well as restricted access to mobile and landline networks. Several airlines limited or suspended flights to and from Iran during this period.
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The State Department urged U.S. citizens to leave Iran immediately “if it is safe to do so,” advising land exit through Armenia or Turkey, where some border crossings were open at the time. The warning stressed that Americans should not rely on the US government to help them leave, as Washington has no embassy or consular service in Iran. Those unable to go were advised to avoid protests, keep a low profile, maintain essential supplies and closely monitor local developments.
Officials warned that safety cannot be guaranteed when departing by land and advised against travel to Afghanistan, Iraq and the Pakistan-Iran border region.
