The State Department warned American citizens to “leave Iran now” ahead of indirect talks in the Persian Gulf state of Oman between Washington and Tehran over the status of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.
The notice issued late Thursday by the virtual US embassy to Iran warned would-be refugees to have a departure plan “that does not rely on US government help” — and to “keep a low profile, and stay aware of your surroundings” if unable to leave the country.
The US has advised its citizens to leave Iran since the Shiite regime brutally crushed widespread demonstrations early last month, killing thousands of protesters who had taken to the streets as Tehran’s economy spiraled.
Meanwhile, Oman’s government confirmed an initial round of indirect talks had taken place involving Iran Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, and first son-in-law Jared Kushner. Footage later released by the state-run Oman News Agency showed that Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of the US military’s Central Command (CENTCOM), also attended the meeting with Muscat Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi — a departure from past talks.
“The consultations focused on preparing the appropriate circumstances for resuming the diplomatic and technical negotiations by ensuring the importance of these negotiations, in light of the parties’ determination to ensure their success in achieving sustainable security and stability,” Oman’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
No readout from the US or Iran was immediately available.
Tensions have grown since the quashing of the protests, with President Trump sending the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Middle East and repeatedly warning that Iran will face military action if it doesn’t come to the table.
“I would say he should be very worried,” Trump told NBC News in a Wednesday interview when asked if Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khameni should fear additional attacks after the US bombed three nuclear sites in June 2025. “Yeah, he should be. As you know, they’re negotiating with us.”
The president added that “I heard” that Iran is trying to restart its atomic weapons program and he would have to order US bombers to “do their job again” if that were the case.
