US Warns Its Citizens To Immediately Leave Iran, Sparks Fresh Concerns of Strike

The United States has issued an urgent advisory telling its citizens in Iran to leave as soon as possible, highlighting the risk of growing US-Iran tensions and possible disruption of flights, even as both countries prepare for sensitive talks in Oman over Tehran's nuclear programme and regional security.

The travel advisory stresses that American nationals who cannot depart quickly should move to secure locations and store food, water and medicines, reflecting US concern that the situation could worsen without warning while political strains and public unrest continue inside Iran after recent protests in Tehran.

US Iran advisory and US Iran talks Oman shape rising tensions

The warning follows strong comments by US President Donald Trump aimed at Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, adding pressure ahead of the planned dialogue in Muscat, where Washington and Tehran are expected to discuss nuclear activities, regional issues and ways to avoid direct confrontation.

Trump, speaking to NBC News and quoted by CNN, directly targeted Khamenei, stating, "I would say he should be very worried, yeah. He should be," while again hinting that the US military could be used if Washington decides diplomacy is not enough.

Military signals amid US Iran advisory and US Iran talks Oman

Trump also underlined that Iran is now talking with US officials. "They're negotiating," Trump said on Thursday, referring to Iran. He added that Tehran was trying to avoid strikes, saying, "They don't want us to hit them, we have a big fleet going there," and describing the naval force as an "armada."

In parallel, Iranian leaders have showcased expanded military capabilities. During a visit to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps missile site, Iran's armed forces chief of staff Abdolrahim Mousavi highlighted missile upgrades, while IRGC Aerospace Force commander Brigadier General Majid Mousavi joined the inspection, according to state broadcaster Press TV.

Press TV quoted Mousavi as saying, "By upgrading its ballistic missiles in all technical dimensions, Iran has been able to strengthen its deterrence power," suggesting Tehran intends to rely heavily on missile forces as tensions with Washington continue.

Strategic posture before US Iran advisory and US Iran talks Oman

Mousavi further outlined a shift in Iran's defence philosophy following the recent conflict described as a 12-day war. He stated, "Following the 12-day war, we have changed our military doctrine from defensive to offensive by adopting the policy of asymmetric warfare and [boosting readiness for a] crushing response to the enemies," Press TV reported.

Iranian officials have repeatedly said they will answer any US attack. State television quoted army spokesperson General Mohammad Akraminia declaring, "We are ready to defend, and it is the US president who must choose between compromise or war," adding that Iran has "easy" access to American bases across the region.

Against this backdrop, negotiations in Oman are planned to involve US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with Oman once again acting as mediator between the two opponents after both governments confirmed the Muscat meeting for Friday.

Diplomacy versus force around US Iran advisory and US Iran talks Oman
Iran's foreign ministry said it had a "responsibility not to miss any opportunity to use diplomacy" to protect peace and signalled that officials hoped Washington would attend the Muscat talks "with responsibility, realism and seriousness." IRNA reported that Araghchi had reached Muscat on Thursday night to prepare for the discussions.

From Washington, US vice president JD Vance indicated that military options remain available if talks do not work. "He is going to talk to everybody, he is going to try to accomplish what he can through non-military means, and if he feels like the military is the only option, then he is ultimately going to choose that," Vance said in an interview aired on Wednesday.

Trump has for weeks stepped up warnings about Iran's nuclear programme. He has insisted that if Tehran does not accept a deal limiting its nuclear activities, unspecified "bad things" might follow, reinforcing fears that a breakdown in negotiations could lead to direct clashes in an already tense region.

Nuclear stakes behind US Iran advisory and US Iran talks Oman

CNN reported that Iran has agreed in principle to take part in talks with the United States to avoid further US military strikes, though any final understanding still depends on progress in Muscat and beyond, with both sides under pressure at home and abroad.

Iranian officials maintain that the nuclear programme is peaceful, a stance held for decades, yet some political figures have increasingly threatened to seek a nuclear weapon. Tehran currently enriches uranium to about 60 per cent, close to weapons-grade, and is the only state without a nuclear weapons arsenal to reach such levels.

A US-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War, argued that Iran's stance leaves little room for compromise. It stated, "Iran continues to show inflexibility toward addressing US demands, which reduces the likelihood that Iran and the United States will be able to reach a diplomatic solution," suggesting the diplomatic path faces serious obstacles.