The US, UK, and Other Countries Urge Their Citizens to Leave Iran

As the crisis in Iran intensifies and the likelihood of a presidential order from the US to confront the Islamic Republic due to the widespread killing of protesters increases, several Western and regional countries have urged their citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible. The US State Department issued an urgent warning stating that American citizens should 'leave Iran now.' The Persian page of the US State Department noted the escalation of nationwide protests, advising, 'If it is safe, consider leaving Iran by land through the borders with Turkey or Armenia.' The warning mentioned that security measures in Iran have increased, roads are blocked, public transportation is disrupted, and the internet is widely cut off or restricted. Additionally, the Iranian government has limited access to mobile networks, landlines, and the national internet, while many airlines have canceled or suspended flights to and from Iran. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, also reacted to this warning by stating, 'It is a good decision for Americans to leave Iran.' In this context, diplomatic sources told Reuters that some US military personnel at the Al Udeid base in Qatar—the largest US airbase in the Middle East—have been advised to leave the base by this evening. The German Foreign Ministry also urged its citizens to leave Iran and advised those still in the country to proactively carry sufficient supplies of water, food, medicine, fuel, and communication tools. France is another country that has urged its citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible. Additionally, British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that London is 'working tirelessly' to ensure the safety of British citizens in Iran. Following this wave of warnings, India has also urged its citizens to leave Iran. These recommendations come as nationwide protests in Iran continue, communications are severely restricted, and concerns about escalating security crackdowns and their regional implications are rising. Iran has been witnessing nationwide protests against the Islamic Republic for about twenty days. The Islamic Republic has cut off the internet for six days, and it has been revealed through released videos that thousands of protesters have been killed by security forces' gunfire just since last Thursday. Human rights organizations have confirmed at least two thousand deaths based on evidence, and this number is increasing. A recent report from CBS News indicates that the Islamic Republic has killed between 12,000 to 20,000 protesters since the onset of the nationwide uprising. Despite such unprecedented and bloody massacres, Iranian protesters continue to fight for freedom in the streets. Donald Trump, who had declared the killing of protesters as his and America's red line since the beginning of the protests, told protesters on Tuesday to continue their protests and seize institutions; help is on the way. He added, 'My ultimate goal regarding the Iranian regime is victory.' The reactions of members of both parties in the US Congress indicate that 'a real hell' is on the way for the Islamic Republic. The Israeli ambassador announced an upcoming UN Security Council meeting regarding the massacre of people in Iran. The US President reacted to the killing of protesters by the Islamic Republic, stating, 'Iran has been on my mind; the situation is really bad.'