US issues ‘strong’ travel warning for geopolitical hot spot

The U.S. State Department has reiterated a strong advisory against travel to Iran, particularly for dual nationals, because of the risk of detention. The warning came in response to Iranian President Massed Pezeshkian’s public call for diaspora Iranians to return home.

Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department and the Iranian Foreign Ministry for comment.

Why It Matters

Iran remains under a long-standing “Level 4: Do Not Travel” advisory because of the risks of terrorism, kidnapping, wrongful detention and civil unrest. In July, the U.S. issued a warning about Iran allegedly working with criminal cartels to target regime critics, including dissidents and activists, even inside the U.S.

What To Know

The U.S. has reiterated its warning to Americans to avoid travel to Iran in light of tensions that escalated into a 12-day military conflict that culminated in U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic in June.

According to Iranian media, Pezeshkian told officials that efforts are underway to make it easier and safer for Iranians living abroad to return to the country.

“They are the country’s assets and their capacity should be used in a desirable way,” he said, Eghtesad News, Persian-language Iranian news outlet, reported. He did not explicitly mention dissidents or political exiles.

In past years, rights critics said the Iranian regime had expanded its clandestine program of foreign assassinations, renditions and harassment of dissidents and political opponents.

What People Are Saying

U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs account on X, Tuesday: “In light of reporting that Iranian President Pezeshkian is encouraging Iranian diaspora to return to Iran, we reiterate our STRONG warning: Americans, especially Iranian-Americans, should NOT travel to Iran. The risk of wrongful detention is too great.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as quoted by Iran International website on July 26: “We must create a framework for Iranians abroad to return comfortably and without fear, and this requires coordination with the judiciary and the Ministry of Intelligence. These individuals are also assets of this land.”

Northwestern University website on July 17: “While the U.S. government has advised against travel to Iran for years, the State Department assesses an even higher risk of wrongful detention during travel to Iran at this time.”

What Happens Next

Amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran, the U.S. is expected to maintain—and possibly intensify—its strict travel advisories on Iran.