Iran Travel Advice
Travel to the Middle East always brings with it some need for caution. In the case of Iran, this caution is heightened greatly for several reasons which resulted in the issuance of a Travel Warning on March 23, 2010, by the U.S. Department of State for all U.S. citizens who are considering a visit.
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Dangers
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Iran poses several potential problems for travelers. According to the U.S. Department of State and the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the government of Iran blames the United States and United Kingdom for several terrorist bombings throughout the country in recent years. While this accusation is unfounded, it has resulted hostile feelings amongst some of the Iranian public toward American and British travelers.
In addition, according to the U.S. Department of State, "some elements in Iran remain hostile to the United States," a fact that may lead to random arrest, harassment when entering or leaving the country and attack by Muslim extremist groups.
Traveler Reports
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The Middle East has much to offer. Despite all the warnings, many travelers make the trip each year, some reporting incredible inaccuracies in the world press and a truly great experience and others warning of precisely the opposite. If you can get past the known dangers of terrorism and governmental actions against the West, there are still the large gang and drug trafficking problems as well as the long-practiced roving thieves dressed as officials who clean out the unsuspecting visitor.
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Precautions
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If you're traveling to Iran, take certain precautions. The U.S. Department of State recommends that American travelers to Iran register with their offices by using the Travel Registration website. This precaution will ensure that a record of your travels will be kept and that should you not keep to your registered schedule, investigations may be made into your whereabouts and well-being. Since no U.S. embassy is present in the country of Iran, the Swiss government acts as the "protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran," according to the Department of State website.
Travelers may choose to register with the Swiss Embassy in Iran at:
U.S. Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy
39 Shahid Mousavi (Golestan 5th)
Pasdaran, Tehran
011-98-21-2254-2178 or 011-98-21-2256-5273
For updates on Department of State Travel Warnings and other information on travel to Iran call 888-407-4747
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Iran image by Petra Kohlstädt from Fotolia.com iran flag icon. (with clipping path) image by Andrey Zyk from Fotolia.com pointing to middle east image by Pavel Bernshtam from Fotolia.com cafe near the bridge image by Valery Shanin from Fotolia.com
