US urges citizens to leave Iran immediately and bans travel to the country

Washington - United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged all American citizens to refrain from travelling to Iran and called on those currently in the country to leave immediately.

“No American citizen may travel to Iran under any circumstances. We are reiterating our call for American citizens currently in Iran to depart immediately,” Rubio stated in an official statement.

Rubio announced that he has designated Iran as a Country of Concern for Unlawful Detention, following an executive order issued by President Donald Trump.

“President Trump issued an Executive Order to Protect American Citizens from Unlawful Detention Abroad last autumn, and Congress has passed the 2025 Unlawful Detention Eradication Act, which authorises the Department to designate Iran as a Country of Concern for Unlawful Detention,” he explained.

“Should Iran persist, we will be compelled to consider additional measures, including plans to restrict geographical travel on the use of US passports to, through, or from Iran,” Rubio added.

Previously, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth stated that the United States is keeping all options open in its approach to Iran and urged the country to engage in negotiations to reach an agreement.

Speaking to journalists during a visit to Colorado on Monday (23 February), Hegseth reiterated that President Donald Trump favours a diplomatic solution, but emphasised that the US military is prepared with contingency plans should Iran refuse to reach an agreement.

“Iran must make a deal. Iran has the opportunity to make a deal. That is the outcome the President prefers,” he said.

Hegseth stressed that it is his responsibility to provide various options, including having contingency options available to President Trump should Iran decide to reject an agreement.

When asked whether military strikes remain under consideration, Hegseth responded that “everything remains an option.”