The U.S. Department of State on 10 July launched an expanded awareness campaign warning Americans, particularly Iranian-Americans and other dual nationals, against any travel to Iran, citing a growing risk of arbitrary arrest and prolonged detention by Iranian authorities. The initiative, led by the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, supplements the long-standing Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory with a dedicated website and social-media outreach. A video released as part of the campaign features Emad Shargi, one of five Americans freed in a September 2023 prisoner swap, who spent more than five years in Tehran’s Evin Prison on espionage charges he says were fabricated. Shargi urges prospective travelers to “cancel your trip,” warning that dual nationality offers no protection and may increase the likelihood of being used as a political pawn. State Department officials note that Iran does not recognize dual citizenship and routinely denies consular access to detained U.S. nationals. The department, which relies on Swiss intermediaries for citizen services in Iran, says the heightened advisory follows recent regional tensions and underscores that Americans who ignore the warning should prepare measures such as leaving DNA samples and drafting wills.