With Iranian airspace partially reopened following a cease-fire between the United States and Iran, the U.S. State Department urged Americans staying in Iran to leave.
According to The Hill and other U.S. political news outlets on the 22nd (local time), the U.S. State Department said on its official consular account on the social media platform X that "as of the 21st, Iranian airspace has been partially reopened" and that "U.S. citizens should leave Iran immediately. Monitor local media for the latest information, and contact commercial airlines for additional information on flights departing Iran."
This is the first time since the outbreak of the war that the U.S. government has urged its citizens in Iran to leave immediately.
The State Department said that while flights through Iranian airspace are resuming in stages, travelers should also consider options other than air travel. Americans staying in Iran were reportedly advised that they could consider traveling overland to neighboring countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye, and Turkmenistan.
The State Department also said that U.S.-Iran dual nationals must use their Iranian passports when departing. This is because Iranian police and security personnel are operating checkpoints using taxis and other disguised vehicles, creating a very high risk that U.S. citizens could be questioned, arrested, or detained.
The State Department said, "Simply presenting a U.S. passport or indicating a connection to the United States may be used by Iranian authorities as grounds for detention," adding, "If you do not have a valid U.S. passport, you should apply for one at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate after departing Iran."