Tehran: The US Embassy in Tehran has urged American citizens to leave Iran immediately. In a security alert issued early Friday morning, the Embassy urged American citizens to “leave Iran now” and prepare departure plans that do not rely on US government assistance.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the statement warned American citizens in Iran of the risks posed by “continued heightened security measures, road closures, disruptions to public transportation, internet shutdowns, and the Iranian government’s continued restrictions on access to national mobile and landline networks and the internet, as well as the reduction or cancellation of flights to and from Iran by airlines.”

The statement added that “US citizens should expect continued internet disruptions, plan for alternative means of communication, and, if safe, consider leaving Iran by land to Armenia or Turkey.”

This comes as the United States and Iran hold negotiations in Muscat in an attempt to reduce tensions in relations between the two countries, amid a massive US military buildup in the region and Washington’s threats to strike Iran if it refuses to reach a deal on its nuclear and missile programs and regional policies.