Middle East and North Africa

Islamic law is strictly enforced in Iran. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs, especially during the holy month of Ramadan or if you intend to visit religious areas. 

 

Local Islamic codes of behaviour and dress are enforced by law in any public place e.g. hotels and restaurants men should wear long trousers and long-sleeve shirts and women must cover their heads with a headscarf, wear trousers (or a long skirt), and a long-sleeved tunic or coat that reaches to mid-thigh or knee.  There are occasional crackdowns on dress particularly in the summer months and during times of religious commemoration.  If you blatantly disregard these rules, you may encounter difficulties or even face arrest.  There are additional dress requirements at certain religious sites, where e.g. women may be asked to put on a chador (a garment that covers the whole body except the face) before entering.

 

The import, sale, manufacture and consumption of alcohol in Iran is strictly forbidden on religious grounds, with exceptions only for certain recognised Iranian religious minorities (not foreigners).  Penalties can be severe.

 

Photography near military and other government installations is strictly prohibited.  Many such places are often difficult to identify and great care should be taken with photography in areas away from tourist locations, including urban areas.  You may be arrested and detained on serious criminal charges, including espionage.  Two Swedish men were arrested in April 2006 and imprisoned for over a year on espionage charges for photographing military installations considered sensitive by the Iranians in the Southern Port of Qeshm.  It is better to ask before taking photographs of people.

Behaviour regarded as inoffensive elsewhere can lead to serious trouble in Iran, particularly with regard to sexual relations, alcohol and drugs.  In general, it is best to err on the side of caution.  Relationships between non-Muslim men and Muslim women are illegal, and while few Westerners have been prosecuted since the late 1980s, in the late 1990s a Western businessman was detained for two years on such charges.  Unmarried partners and friends of the opposite sex travelling together should be discreet at all times in public.  Iranian hotel managers could insist on seeing a marriage certificate before allowing any couple to share a double hotel room.  During the holy month of Ramadan, you should in general observe the Muslim tradition of not eating, drinking or smoking in public from sunrise to sunset each day, though there are exemptions for travellers who will be able to eat in hotel and airport restaurants.

 

You should also be aware that:

For more general information for different types of travellers see Your trip.