Hyderabad, Feb. 6 -- The US Virtual Embassy in Iran has issued an urgent security alert early Friday, advising American citizens in Iran to "leave now" and arrange their own departure plans without relying on assistance from the US government as tensions with Tehran escalate.

The notice, published shortly before scheduled talks between US and Iranian officials in Muscat, Oman, warns of heightened security risks, potential transport disruptions, and intermittent internet shutdowns.

It also cautions that Iranian-American dual nationals face a heightened risk of detention and that showing a US passport could increase the chance of arrest by Iranian authorities.

Advisory ahead of US-Iran meet

The advisory comes just hours before the first...