U.S. Urges Americans to Leave Iran as Advisory Adds Houthi Warning

The United States has updated its travel advisory for Iran, keeping the country at the highest warning level and again urging U.S. citizens to leave immediately. The Department of State changed the advisory on 23 October 2026 to highlight the threat of increased regional aggression by Iranian-supported Houthis.

The advisory level and risk indicators did not change. The summary now reflects a rise in potential armed attacks by the Houthis and Iranian efforts to target U.S. government officials in the region.

Key facts

• Advisory level remains Level 4: Do Not Travel
• Updated 23 October 2026; published 24 October 2026
• U.S. citizens in Iran are told to leave immediately
• Reasons cited: terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest and wrongful detention
• There is no U.S. Embassy in Iran

What has changed?

Only the advisory summary was revised. It now calls attention to the possibility of more armed attacks by the Iranian-supported Houthis, who have carried out hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks on civilian airports and other critical infrastructure that caused civilian casualties and severe travel disruptions. The advisory warns that these hostilities could escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area.

Who is affected?

The warning is addressed to U.S. citizens, who are told not to travel to Iran for any reason and to leave the country immediately if already there. The Department of State says Iranian authorities have detained U.S. nationals without warning or evidence of a crime, including dual U.S.-Iranian nationals, students, journalists, business travellers, academics and people with U.S. military or government experience.

Having a U.S. passport or connections to the United States can be reason enough for detention, the advisory says. It adds that some U.S. nationals have been held for years on false charges, subjected to torture and sentenced to death. Iranian law allows punishment for "collaboration with a hostile state," and prior travel to Israel by an Iranian citizen can result in a prison sentence of 2 to 5 years.

What help is available in Iran?

The U.S. government has no diplomatic or consular relations with Iran. The Swiss government, through its Embassy in Tehran, acts as the protecting power for U.S. interests, but its office is described as extremely limited in its ability to help Americans. Routine consular services, including full-validity passport applications, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad and fee-based notarial services, are not available in Iran; U.S. citizens must visit the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or return to the United States.

Iran does not recognise U.S. citizenship for dual U.S.-Iranian nationals and will not permit Swiss consular officers to visit detained citizens who also hold Iranian citizenship. Exit bans have prevented U.S. citizens from leaving the country.

What this means for travellers

The Department of State advises Americans in Iran to prepare for the possibility of detention of unknown length, to prepare a will and power of attorney, and to share documents and contacts with loved ones. Travellers should have an emergency departure plan that does not rely on U.S. government help, and can enrol in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for updates. The Federal Aviation Administration has also issued aviation restrictions for flights within or near Iran.

The advisory also warns that surrogacy companies in Iran misrepresent the security situation, and that a child born abroad to a surrogate may not automatically acquire U.S. citizenship, leaving them unable to obtain a U.S. passport to leave Iran.

The Department of State advises Americans worldwide to exercise increased caution.