- The U.S. Virtual Embassy issued an alert maintaining existing security options for Americans currently inside Iran.
- With commercial flights grounded, land routes to Armenia and Türkiye remain the primary methods for departure.
- Citizens unable to depart safely are advised to shelter in place and maintain emergency supplies of food and water.
(IRAN) — Virtual Embassy Tehran issued a March 19, 2026 security alert saying there are no changes to the options for Americans in Iran to depart, shelter in place, or seek help through Swiss protecting power channels as U.S. officials monitor developments across the Middle East.
The update said Washington was watching the situation closely and would continue to provide information as conditions change. “We are monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely and will keep you updated so you can make decisions about your safety,” the alert said.
U.S. officials also tied the advisory directly to citizen protection. “President Trump, Secretary of State Rubio, and the Department of State have no higher priority than the safety and security of American citizens,” the alert said.
That message came with no shift in the core choices available to U.S. citizens inside Iran. Americans can still try to leave through land routes, remain where they are and shelter in place, or seek assistance through Swiss diplomatic channels because the United States has no diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Departure options remain narrow. The alert said U.S. citizens should not travel to Afghanistan, Iraq, or the Pakistan-Iran border area, even as overland exits from Iran remain the main routes available.
Commercial flights are currently not operating out of Iran. That leaves land crossings as the practical option for people trying to get out, though the alert warned that Iranian authorities may block departures or impose an “exit fee.”
Dual nationals face another layer of restriction. The alert said U.S.-Iranian dual nationals must exit Iran on Iranian passports and that the Iranian government does not recognize dual nationality and will treat U.S.-Iranian dual nationals solely as Iranian citizens.
Risks inside the country remain high. The alert said U.S. nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran, and that showing a U.S. passport or demonstrating connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone.
Road travel carries its own concerns. Iranian police and security personnel may operate roadside checkpoints using unmarked vehicles such as taxis, the alert said.
For Americans who do not have a valid U.S. passport in hand, the State Department said they should apply for one at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate after departing Iran.
Among the open land routes, Armenia remains one of the clearest options. The alert said the Armenian land border at Agarak/Norduz is open, and that U.S. citizens entering Armenia from Iran need a valid U.S. passport. It added that U.S. dual nationals planning to enter Armenia on a U.S., Iranian, or Armenian passport do not require advanced approval, and taxis are available from Agarak to surrounding cities and to Yerevan.
Türkiye also remains accessible by land, but with stricter entry conditions and security warnings near the frontier. The alert said the Turkish crossings at Gürbulak/Bazargan, Kapıköy/Razi, and Esendere/Serow are open for entry by Turkish and third country nationals.
Americans heading into Türkiye must meet passport-validity rules and should pay attention to the travel warning for the border area. The alert said U.S. citizens entering Türkiye from Iran need a U.S. passport valid for at least 60 days beyond their intended date of departure from Türkiye, and that the area of Türkiye near the Iran border is designated Level 4 – Do Not Travel.
The State Department asked U.S. citizens planning to cross into Türkiye by land to contact the American Citizens Services Unit in Ankara at least one business day in advance. They should send their name, date of birth, passport information, a photograph of the passport biodata page, the intended border crossing, and the anticipated date of crossing to [email protected].
Turkmenistan’s route is open in a more limited way. The alert said U.S. citizens need special authorization from the Government of Turkmenistan before approaching the border, and that U.S. Embassy Ashgabat must facilitate that approval.
Americans seeking entry into Turkmenistan were told to send the same set of identifying and travel details to the American Citizens Services Unit in Ashgabat at [email protected]. That includes name, date of birth, passport information, a photograph of the passport biodata page, the intended border crossing, and the anticipated date of crossing.
Azerbaijan remains the most restrictive option. The alert said Azerbaijan’s land borders are closed to routine traffic and urged U.S. citizens with an urgent need to depart Iran to first consider other available options for departure.
If those routes are not feasible, Americans may request entry into Azerbaijan, but only with prior approval from the Government of Azerbaijan. U.S. Embassy Baku must facilitate that process, and the alert said “extended wait times should be expected.”
For that route, the State Department directed travelers to contact the American Citizens Services Unit in Baku at [email protected] with name, date of birth, passport information, a photograph of the passport biodata page, the intended border crossing, and the anticipated date of crossing.
The varying border rules mean route choice depends on more than geography. Armenia offers a more direct open crossing, Türkiye remains available but carries border-region warnings and document requirements, Turkmenistan requires advance government authorization, and Azerbaijan requires prior approval with delays expected.
For those not leaving immediately, the advisory continued to present shelter in place as an active option rather than a fallback. “If you do not depart Iran, we recommend all Americans in Iran shelter in place until further notice,” the alert said.
Officials told Americans who stay to remain in a secure location inside a residence, hotel, or another structure and to stay away from windows. The alert also urged them to keep supplies of food, water, medications, and other essential items.
That guidance formed part of a wider set of readiness steps in the update. Americans were told to maintain communication with family and friends, keep travel documents current and accessible, and identify a secure location within a residence or another safe building.
The alert also said people should stay away from debris in case of an attack, avoid protests and demonstrations, keep a low profile, and stay aware of their surroundings. It urged Americans to pay close attention to communications from local officials and keep cell phones charged and pre-programmed with emergency numbers.
Virtual Embassy Tehran also pushed digital alert systems as part of that preparation. The advisory urged Americans to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, known as STEP, to receive safety and security updates from the U.S. Embassy.
It also directed them to follow the “U.S. Citizen Consular Information: Iran ” channel on WhatsApp for the latest security alerts. Together with family contact and document readiness, officials framed those steps as a way to stay reachable if local conditions shift quickly.
Diplomatic help for Americans in Iran continues to run through Switzerland. The alert said the U.S. government does not have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, and that U.S. citizens in Iran who need help should contact the U.S. Embassy in Bern, Switzerland.
That embassy can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at +41-31-357-7011. The Swiss government, acting through its embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran.
Even that channel has limits on the ground. The alert said the Embassy of Switzerland’s Foreign Interests Section in Tehran is temporarily closed due to the security situation in Iran until further notice.
Beyond Bern, the State Department listed additional contact points for people trying to coordinate border movements or ask for assistance. Consular Affairs can be reached from the U.S. & Canada at +1-888-407-4747 and from Overseas at +1-202-501-4444.
Embassy units in neighboring countries also remain available. The American Citizens Services Unit in Ankara can be reached at [email protected], the American Citizens Services Unit in Yerevan at [email protected], the American Citizens Services Unit in Baku at [email protected], and the American Citizens Services Unit in Ashgabat at [email protected].
Officials asked travelers seeking help to provide complete identifying details in their messages. For all inquiries, the State Department said emails should include first and middle name(s), last name, place of birth, date of birth, U.S. passport number, contact telephone number, email address, and last known location.
When border coordination is involved, the alert also asked for passport information including number and dates of issue and expiration, a photograph of the passport biodata page, the intended border crossing, and the anticipated date of crossing. Providing that information early can shape how quickly embassy teams can respond where prior approval or facilitation is required.
The overall U.S. message on Thursday was steady: no new departure channels have opened, no existing options have been withdrawn, and Americans in Iran should choose between available land routes or shelter in place while watching for updates. “We are monitoring the situation in the Middle East closely and will keep you updated so you can make decisions about your safety,” the alert said.
