The US State Department has launched a new awareness campaign warning all American citizens—especially those of Iranian heritage—against travelling to Iran, citing serious security risks and the Iranian regime’s refusal to recognize dual nationality.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stressed the dangers faced by Iranian-American travelers, highlighting that the regime routinely detains US citizens and denies them consular assistance.
“The message is clear: Do not travel to Iran. It is not safe for anyone, particularly dual citizens,” Bruce stated, unveiling a new State Department website dedicated to Iran travel advisories. “While the bombing may have stopped, it does not mean it is safe. We cannot stress this enough.”
Bruce noted that the travel warning supplements, not replaces, existing advisories and that the campaign would be multilingual to reach a wider audience.
The advisory comes amid rising tensions in the region following recent US and Israeli military actions targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military command centers. On June 13, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, striking Iran’s nuclear facilities and IRGC bases. This was followed by US-led Operation Midnight Hammer on June 22, further escalating hostilities.
In response, Iran launched missile strikes at Israeli territory and targeted a US airbase in Qatar. The Iranian government has condemned the US and Israeli operations, labelling them violations of international law.
Despite the heightened conflict, diplomatic overtures may be on the horizon. Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump, during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, indicated that Iran is seeking dialogue to avoid further military confrontation. “They want to meet… They want to work something out,” Trump said, suggesting talks had been scheduled.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also recently signaled willingness to engage diplomatically, acknowledging that while trust-building would be difficult, dialogue with the US remains possible.
Still, the State Department’s warning reflects a deepening concern over Iran’s detainment of dual nationals and its unpredictable political environment, especially in the wake of recent violent escalations.
The new campaign and advisory aim to prevent more Americans—particularly Iranian Americans—from becoming caught in a volatile situation that could leave them without legal protection abroad.