Iran

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with an amendment to the Terrorism and Security, Air Travel and General (Consular Access) sections. The overall level of the advice has not changed.

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Travel advice for this country

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Travel Summary

We strongly advise against all travel to within 100km of the entire Iran/Afghanistan border or to within 10km of the entire Iran/Iraq border. The Pakistan border area is also insecure, and we advise against any travel east of the line running from Kerman to Bandar Abbas, this includes all travel to Bam. See the Terrorism & Security and Local Travel sections of this advice for more details.
There is a general threat from terrorism. Explosions have killed a number of people since 2005. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriate and foreign travellers. See the Terrorism section of this advice for more details.
You should avoid demonstrations and similar large public gatherings, as some may turn violent. Since 2004 there have been several violent attacks on, and violent demonstrations outside, the British Embassy compounds in Tehran, the most recent was on 14 June 2007. If you are planning to travel to Iran you should monitor political developments closely and check this advice regularly.
A series of incidents in recent years have demonstrated that there is a risk of arbitrary arrest and detention by the Iranian authorities. In these and other cases involving foreign nationals, the Iranian authorities do not always fully meet their international consular obligations. See the Political Situation of this advice for more details.
Credit cards and bankcards cannot generally be used in Iran and travellers’ cheques can be very difficult to exchange. See the General (Money) section of this advice for more details.
The main type of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Iran in 2007 was for replacing lost or stolen passports. You should carry some form of identification with you at all times. Some dual UK/Iranian nationals have also faced problems leaving Iran due to insufficient/incorrect documentation. See the Entry/Exit Requirements (Dual Nationality) section of this advice for more details.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.

Safety and security

Terrorism/Security

There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.

There was an explosion at a religious centre in the city of Shiraz on 12 April. A number of people were killed. The police and Interior Ministry initially said that it was an accident rather than a terrorist attack, but in May confirmed that it was a terrorist attack. The explosion did not occur near any of Shiraz's tourist attractions.

Since 2005 there have been a series of bombs in cities in Iran.

Several attacks have taken place in Zahedan in eastern Iran. The most recent was on 16 February 2007, which did not result in any casualties. This followed a bomb explosion on 14 February when according to media reports eleven people were killed. Two small bombs also exploded in a car outside the Governor’s Office in Zahedan, on 14 December 2006. One member of the public was killed and one injured.

In 2005 and 2006 there were a series of bombs in the south western province of Khuzestan, killing a number of people. Some Iranian officials and media reports have alleged a UK connection to terrorist attacks in Ahwaz; British travellers in the Ahwaz/Khuzestan region should therefore be particularly cautious.

In August and November 2005, a number of devices were set off outside the offices of British firms in Tehran. There were no casualties but some damage was caused. On 20 August 2006, there were reports that a car bomb was defused by police in Tehran.

You should maintain an increased level of vigilance and exercise good security practice. British institutions and businesses should also keep their security arrangements under review.

Political Situation

Iran Country Profile.

Political demonstrations and public gatherings are regularly organised in Iran to protest against the policies of western governments, in particular those of the US, UK and Israel. Anti-government demonstrations are also often broken up with violence. In the last three years, there have been sporadic violent attacks on, and violent demonstrations outside, the British Embassy compounds in Tehran, coinciding with moments of tension in political relations between the UK and Iran, and with events elsewhere in the region. On 1 April 2007, demonstrators blocked access to the Embassy and threw bricks at the premises. Nobody was hurt in these incidents.

You should follow news reports and be alert to local and regional developments that might trigger public disturbances. You should take sensible precautions for your personal safety, especially around religious festivals, and avoid public gatherings and demonstrations.

Political unrest and violence have also affected other parts of Iran, in particular the peripheries e.g. the provinces of Kurdistan, western Azerbaijan, eastern Azerbaijan and Ardebil.

Crime

Although street crime in Tehran, as in other Iranian cities, is low, incidents of robbery against foreigners are not unknown. There have been a number of robberies by young men in unmarked cars, and young men on motorcycles have also snatched bags, including from open car windows/doors. Since November 2007 there have been a number of robberies involving motorbikes with pillion passengers who drive up along side their victims and snatch their items. Extra caution needs to be taken concerning any valuables. You are advised not to carry large amounts of hard currency with you. Pre-booked taxis are safer than those hailed from the street.

There have been a number of attempted robberies by bogus policemen, usually in civilian clothing. If you are approached by anyone who claims to be a policeman, you should insist on seeing the officer’s identity card and request the presence of a uniformed officer/marked patrol car. You should not surrender any documents or cash. If the policeman has a vehicle with him and you are not sure he or she is genuine, do not get in.

For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad

Local Travel

We strongly advise against all travel within 100km of the entire Iran/Afghanistan border or within 10 km of the entire Iran/Iraq border. The Pakistan border area is also insecure, and we advise against any travel east of the line running from Kerman to Bandar Abbas, this includes all travel to Bam.

This area, which mainly covers the south eastern Iranian province of Sistan va Baluchistan province, is notorious for its banditry and is the main route for drug-traffickers from Afghanistan and Pakistan. The towns of Zahedan, Zabol and Mirjaveh are particularly insecure. Local insurgent groups have also contributed to insecurity in the area, reportedly carrying out a series of violent attacks in 2006, which left a large number of civilians dead.

There have been incidents of kidnapping of foreigners by armed gangs in south eastern Iran. There have been two kidnappings this year.

In August 2007, bandits seized two Belgian tourists in Sistan-Balouchistan, south-eastern Iran. One was freed two days later but the other was held for 34 days.

On 8 October 2007, a Japanese national was kidnapped by suspected bandits from his hotel in Bam. He was released from captivity on 14 June 2008.

If you travel to the Iraq border against our advice you should be aware that the Government of Iraq has closed six border crossings with Iran at Kella, Saranban-Golle, Taiwella, Parweez Khan, Muntheria and al Sheeb. On 8 October, Iran re-opened its border crossings into the Kurdish region of northern Iraq (which had been closed on 24 September). On 15 April the Tamarchin border crossing between Iran and Iraq in Iran’s West Azerbaijan Province was opened.

Road Travel

Iran has one of the highest rates of road accidents in the world. Most of the accidents are due to dilapidated vehicles and/or reckless driving. Great care should be taken when driving. Many pedestrians are killed on the roads, and you should exercise great care when crossing streets. If you are involved in an accident, no matter how minor, do not leave the scene. You should wait until the police arrive to make their report.

The Iranian authorities sometimes mount informal roadblocks both in cities and on main highways. They are often suspicious of foreigners, and are often manned by young and inexperienced officers. You should always carry your ID with you in case of such encounters, and avoid getting into disputes.

If you wish to drive your own vehicle into Iran you may be subject to Iranian customs and other regulations. There are particular requirements for travellers wishing to bring motorcycles into the country. We recommend that you contact the Iranian Embassy: for details well before you travel.

For more general information see Driving Abroad.

Air Travel

You should be aware that many of the planes flown on domestic routes in Iran are ageing. There have been a number of accidents in recent years.

In July 2007 Mahan Air's permission to fly to the UK was revoked because of serious concerns about the airline's operational standards. This ban was subsequently extended to the whole of the EU following consideration by the Air Safety Committee. On 24 July this year the ban was lifted on the basis that the European Commission and Member States were satisfied that Mahan Air had resolved the major safety findings identified by the Committee. Mahan is now able to resume flights to Europe and EU citizens are no longer being advised to avoid flying with the airline.

In December 2007 there was a collision between a KLM and Lufthansa passenger plane at ground level at the Imam Khomeini International Airport. There were no casualties. The wing of one of the planes collided with the other one resulting in minor damages.

Sea Travel

Many areas of the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf are highly sensitive politically. The waters around the islands of Abu Musa and the Tunbs in the southern Persian Gulf are particularly sensitive and are militarised. Unaware of this, in 2005 a British couple who anchored at Abu Musa were apprehended and they and their vessel were detained. Similarly, in 2005, a French and German national were arrested, put on trial and imprisoned for 14 and 15 months respectively for entering the waters near the island. Three Finns were also detained in June 2007.

Mariners should not attempt to dock at all or sail into waters around these islands without express permission from the Iranian authorities.

For more general information see River and Sea Safety

Local laws and customs

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 which 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, which can carry the death penalty. 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.

You should carry some form of identification with you at all times.

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, as recently as 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 restaurants.

You should also be aware that:

Homosexual behaviour, adultery and sex outside of marriage are illegal under Iranian law and can carry the death penalty.
Penalties for importing and possessing drugs are severe and enforced. Large numbers of convicted drug traffickers have been executed in recent years.
The importation of all alcohol and pork products is banned.
Women's magazines and DVDs/ videos depicting sexual relations are also forbidden. Although cultural restrictions have loosened, there are periodic clampdowns and satellite dishes and many Western CDs and films remain illegal.

For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

Visas

British nationals require a visa to travel to Iran. The Iranian Consulate in London is at 50 Kensington Court, London, W8 5DB; tel: 020 7937 5225; fax: 020 7938 1615; (website http://www.iran-embassy.org.uk). Visa applications should be lodged well in advance of your date of travel. Women should wear a headscarf in their visa application photos. You should make sure that your travel documentation is in order and check the expiry date of your visa before travelling. If you overstay your visa you may be required to remain in Iran until the situation has been resolved.

Passports

All passports must be valid for a minimum period of six months after arrival.

Dual nationality

Iran does not recognise dual nationality. If you are regarded as an Iranian national under Iranian law, you will be required to enter and depart Iran using Iranian travel documents. This may apply if your father is Iranian, or if you are married to an Iranian man, even if you do not consider yourself Iranian. If you travel on your Iranian travel documents you should ensure that you have the appropriate UK Immigration re-entry/residence endorsement or alternatively your British passport with you when you enter and leave Iran. For more information on Iranian dual nationality issues contact the Consular Section at the British Embassy, Tehran – email – tehran.Consular@fco.gov.uk

Travelling with children

Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Iranian Embassy or Consulate nearest you.

Health

Medical facilities are reasonable in the major cities in Iran but poor in remote areas.

A number of cases of cholera were reported in the Kurdistan region of Iran on the border with Iraq in October 2007. The total number of confirmed cases was 51 centred mainly in the cities on Baneh and Marivan. There have been no reports of the disease spreading to other provinces. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Iran you should seek immediate medical attention.

In the 2006 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 66,000 adults aged 15 or over in Iran were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 0.2% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Iran and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general diseases for Iran you should check the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

For more general health information see Travel Health.

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

In November 2005 the Iranian authorities have confirmed outbreaks of Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) in wild swans in Anzali Wetlands and in domestic poultry in the northern Iranian provinces of Azarbaiyan and Gilan. The World Health Organisation (WHO) have also confirmed cases elsewhere in the region, although there have been no human infections or deaths reported. There have been a number of confirmed human fatalities in Eastern Turkey, 45 kilometres from the border with Iran, and in Iraq. No human infections or deaths have been reported.

The risk to humans from Avian Influenza is believed to be very low. As a precaution, you should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked.

You should read this advice in conjunction with Avian and Pandemic Influenza, which gives more detailed advice and information.

Natural Disasters

Most of Iran is prone to earthquakes. Small tremors occur frequently. On 31 March 2006, several earthquakes occurred in the province of Lorestan, western Iran, killing around 100 people and injuring 1200. On 22 February 2005, an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck Zarand in south-east Iran. Official figures suggest at least 600 people died and hundreds were injured. On 26 December 2003, a large earthquake hit Bam, in south-eastern Iran, around 30,000 people died.

For advice on how to protect yourself in the event of being caught in an earthquake or tremor, please see: http://www.geologyuk.com/index.htm

General

Insurance

You should ensure that you have comprehensive medical and travel insurance. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See Travel Insurance formore details.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is how we can help.

Consular Access

The Iranian authorities have in many cases failed to meet their international obligations to notify the relevant Embassies immediately that their nationals have been detained and to provide adequate consular access. On 2 June 2007, three Finnish citizens were detained by the Iranians in waters close to Abu Musa Island. They were denied consular access until their release on 6 June. On 23 March 2007, 15 Royal Navy personnel and their boats were detained by the Iranian authorities in Iraqi waters, whilst carrying out routine boarding operations lunder a UN mandate and at the request of the Iraqi government. They were later released on 4 April, after being denied consular access for 12 days. In November 2005, a British couple and an Australian man were detained after sailing near to Abu Musa Island, and consular access was denied by the Iranians for several days. Most recently in February 2008, a British national was detained by the Iranian authorities for 28 days, denied consular access, and subsequently deported without the embassy being informed.

Registering with the British Embassy

We strongly advise you to register with the British Embassy in Tehran. You can do this online prior to arrival at: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/iran. Click on Services then Consular then Online Consular Registration. Alternatively you can register in person at the British Embassy in Tehran, or by telephone +98 (0) 21 66705011-19. You may also register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Money

Credit cards are very rarely accepted and should not be relied upon as a means of payment. There are no cash machines or ATMs in Iran that accept British bank cards. It is also usually not possible to change travellers’ cheques. You should bring sufficient hard currency with you (US$ or Euros are the most useful). It is illegal to change money on the street.

Travel advice for this country

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contacts

British Embassy, Tehran, Iran

Address:

British Embassy
198 Ferdowsi Avenue
11344

Telephone:

Tel: 6405 2000
Visa: 6670 5018/19

Fax:

(98) (21) 6405 2289 Management
(98) (21) 6405 2315 Visa
(98) (21) 6405 2273 Comemrcial
(98) (21) 6405 2276 Consular
(98) (21) 6405 2242 Press & Public Affairs

Email: BritishEmbassyTehran@fco.gov.uk

Email: Chancery.Tehran@fco.gov.uk

Email: visaenquiries.Tehran@fco.gov.uk

Email: Tehran.Consular@fco.gov.uk

Email: PPA.Tehran@fco.gov.uk

Email: info@ir.britishcouncil.org

Email: ComEnquiries.Tehran@fco.gov.uk

Office hours:

GMT:
Sun-Thurs: 0400-1100

Local Time:
Sun-Thurs: 0730-1430

Website: http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/iran