Washington: The United States has intensified its warnings to American citizens, particularly Iranian-Americans holding dual citizenship, as deepening mistrust with Iran fuels concerns over arbitrary detentions. On July 10, 2025, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce unveiled a new awareness campaign, including a dedicated website at state.gov/do-not-travel-to-Iran, highlighting Iran’s refusal to recognise dual nationality and its denial of consular services to detained U.S. citizens. “Do not travel to Iran, especially those of you who are dual citizens with Iranian heritage. It is not safe,” Bruce declared, emphasising the volatile security situation despite a recent pause in hostilities. The campaign, available in multiple languages, responds to Iran’s history of targeting dual nationals, often using them as diplomatic pawns amid strained U.S.-Iran relations.
Iran’s policy of non-recognition of dual citizenship, enacted after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, subjects dual nationals to Iranian jurisdiction, stripping them of U.S. consular protections. This has led to severe hardships, with detainees facing prolonged imprisonment and solitary confinement. A 2023 Human Rights Watch report documented at least 60 dual nationals detained since 2014, including U.S. citizens like Siamak Namazi, held since 2015 on espionage charges widely seen as fabricated. Emad Shargi, freed in September 2023, recently joined the campaign, urging Americans to “cancel your trip” to Iran, citing his own experience of wrongful detention. These detentions often serve Iran’s diplomatic leverage, as seen in past prisoner swaps.
Historically, Iran permitted dual citizenship under the Pahlavi dynasty, but the 1979 revolution prioritised national allegiance, viewing dual nationals as security risks. An estimated 1 million Iranian-Americans live in the U.S., though exact dual citizen numbers are unclear due to Iran’s lack of transparency. The recent escalation, following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025, has heightened risks, with Iran’s Foreign Ministry vowing a “painful” response. On July 11, 2025, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on Iranian entities for evading oil sanctions, further straining ties.
During the briefing, when asked about specific measures to protect detained Americans, Bruce emphasised the broader diplomatic efforts, stating, “We are working tirelessly to secure the release of any American unjustly detained, but the best protection is prevention—don’t go to Iran”.
Recent reports highlight new detentions, including Australian dual nationals Lindsay and Craig Foreman, arrested by Iranian authorities in Kerman in January 2025 while en route to Pakistan for travel. On July 10, 2025, a British-Iranian dual citizen was detained at Tehran’s airport, accused of “propaganda against the state,” further underscoring the risks.
With no U.S. embassy in Tehran, reliance on Swiss intermediaries often yields limited results. Posts on X reflect growing alarm, with users noting Iran’s increased arrests of dual nationals. The State Department’s campaign provides emergency contacts in neighbouring countries, urging Iranian-Americans to avoid travel amid this fraught diplomatic standoff. Responding to a reporter’s question about whether the campaign signals a shift in U.S. policy toward Iran, Bruce clarified, “Our message is clear and consistent: the travel advisories remain, and this campaign supplements them to save lives”.
– global bihari bureau
