US citizens have left Iran through its land borders since Israel launched a deadly assault on the country last week. According to a State Department cable, hundreds of Americans have encountered delays and harassment from Iranian authorities while trying to flee.
The cable notes that some unconfirmed reports suggest American citizens are being detained and imprisoned. The US Embassy in Ashgabat has received only 100 requests for US citizens to enter Turkmenistan, which shares a border with Iran.
The State Department advises US citizens within Iran to find alternative routes to leave the country. However, it is unclear how many US citizens remain in Iran, but estimates suggest thousands are still there.
Human rights groups warn that dual nationals could be targeted by Iranian authorities due to the conflict. The US has not had diplomatic relations with Iran since 1980, and Switzerland acts as a protecting power for the US in Iran.
The State Department has issued a travel advisory warning US citizens not to travel to Iran and to depart immediately if they are there. Those unable to leave should be prepared to shelter in place for extended periods.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/06/20/iran-us-citizens-israel-strikes-state-department