U.S. tells its citizens to leave Iran, as Trump pressures Tehran over protest crackdown

The United States is telling its citizens to leave Iran, as Washington maintains its pressure on Tehran to cease its crackdown on protesters and U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to strike the Iranian government over the issue.

"Leave Iran now," the U.S. stated in an alert published on its "virtual embassy" website for Iran. "Have a plan for departing Iran that does not rely on U.S. government help."

For U.S. citizens unable to leave Iran, the advice is to "find a secure location," to stock up on food and other essential items and to stay aware of their surroundings.

Adding to threats of military action, Trump late ​on Monday announced that any country doing business with Iran will face a new tariff of 25 per cent on its exports to the U.S.

While the president provided little detail, the move may have more symbolic than practical effect since Iran, a major oil producer, already faces extensive U.S. and international trade sanctions.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York declined to comment on Trump's announcement. Top export destinations for Iran include China, the United Arab Emirates and India.

Trump has warned Iran's leaders that the United States would attack if security forces open fire on ​protesters. On Sunday, he said the U.S. may meet Iranian officials and that he was in contact with Iran's opposition. He is said to be evaluating a range of potential actions.

Iran's leaders, their regional clout much reduced, ​are facing fierce demonstrations that evolved from complaints about dire economic hardships to defiant calls for the fall of the deeply entrenched clerical establishment.

U.S.-based rights group HRANA said by late Monday it had verified the deaths of 646 people, including 505 protesters, 113 military and security personnel and seven bystanders, and was investigating 579 more reported deaths.

Since the protests began on Dec. 28, 10,721 ⁠people have been arrested, the group said.

Reuters was unable to confirm the figures independently.

HRANA said it received reports and videos on Monday from Tehran's Behesht Zahra Cemetery where family members ‍of victims "gathered at burial sites and chanted protest slogans."

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, said on X that "Canada stands with the brave people of Iran" and that it joins Australia and the European Union in strongly condemning "repression and in particular the use of violence against peaceful protesters resulting in the unnecessary loss of life."