US Warning To Citizens To Leave Iran Resurfaces As Nuclear Talks Set To Begin In Oman

Renewed circulation of a US warning urging its citizens to "leave Iran immediately" has sparked widespread discussion online, but American officials have clarified that the advisory is not recent and was first issued in mid-January.

Between January 12 and 13, 2026, the US Department of State and the US Virtual Embassy in Tehran advised all American citizens currently in Iran to depart without delay. The guidance cited rapidly deteriorating security conditions, violent and widespread anti-government protests, and a heightened risk of arbitrary detention. Americans were cautioned not to expect assistance from the US government, as Washington does not maintain a physical embassy in Iran.

The advisory followed what US officials described as the largest wave of anti-government demonstrations Iran has seen in years. These protests were met with lethal crackdowns, sporadic internet shutdowns, and mounting regional tensions. The warning also stressed that dual US-Iranian nationals face greater risks, since Iran does not recognise dual citizenship, increasing the likelihood of detention or travel restrictions.

With no US embassy in Tehran, consular support remains extremely limited, reinforcing the urgency of the advisory.

From a market standpoint, analysts say the resurfacing of the warning reflects ongoing geopolitical fragility rather than any fresh escalation. Persistent reminders of internal unrest in Iran continue to keep investors wary of potential risks across the Middle East, particularly those affecting energy supplies and critical shipping routes.

Against this backdrop, US and Iranian officials are set to hold talks in Muscat, Oman, on Friday, February 6. Both sides have confirmed the meeting, which is scheduled to begin at 10:00 local time (06:00 GMT). The discussions come after days of uncertainty over the venue and scope of the talks.

US President Donald Trump has ramped up pressure ahead of the meeting, reinforcing American military presence in the region and warning of possible military action if Iran does not agree to curb its nuclear programme and halt the killing of protesters. In an interview with NBC News, Trump said Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei "should be very worried."

Khamenei, meanwhile, warned that any attack on Iran would trigger a "regional war."

Iran maintains that its nuclear programme is strictly peaceful. Trump, however, claimed that Iran was close to developing a nuclear weapon before he ordered US air and missile strikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran last June. Israeli forces also targeted nuclear sites, scientists, military commanders, and missile infrastructure during the fighting.

While Trump has said those strikes severely damaged Iran's enrichment capacity, he added that Tehran may be considering establishing new facilities elsewhere in the country.