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Why do you think it is unsafe to visit?

by biggio 8y ago

chrisseaton 8y ago
Why do people think it's unsafe to visit Iran? The British Foreign Office, advise against all but non-essential travel there, and advise against travel all together to large parts of it. The US State Department simply advises do not travel there at all. In fact their advice includes 'make a will' if you disregard their warning. Is there even a US diplomatic or consular presence in Iran at all? If you get in trouble, you are on your own, or maybe the Swiss will help you.
- deugtniet 8y ago
  As a tourist from the Netherlands I've been to Iran in 2015, and have not had any unpleasant encounters, other than a taxi driver really wanting my business. He was brushed off by other taxi drivers. Even the more religious individuals I've encountered, were always very open and pleasant to converse with. My opinion was that there is a big divide between the Iranian I've encountered on my tour, and the position of the Iranian government. Actually, I've found the people much more pleasant than in any other country I've been a tourist in Which includes the UK and the US. If you're from the US or the UK I believe you're going to have some trouble getting in, and diplomatic assistance will not be done by your own embassy, but by a friendly one. Once you're in, you shouldn't have to worry about anything other than enjoying the beautiful country. All this is except the obligatory headscarf situation. Which is really bad. If you can personally get over that, it's a great place to visit.
- ubercow13 8y ago
  No they don't? https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iran https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iran
  - quietbritishjim 8y ago
    The link you posted exactly supports what the GP comment said. What do you think it contradicts?
    - ubercow13 8y ago
      It does not advise against all but non-essential travel to almost all of Iran for people who arent dual citizens.
      - chrisseaton 8y ago
        Oh so it's only unsafe for Iranian nationals to visit their own country? Ok that's much more indicative of a safe country.
        ajayh 8y ago
        Probably to do with mandatory military service. Not an issue for a non-citizen.
        bogle 8y ago
        Iran is safe, it's just you may be arrested as a spy (if you have dual nationality): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/czgdk5znl24t/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-case https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/czgdk5znl24t/nazanin-zagha...
      - quietbritishjim 8y ago
        Ah, I must've misread it in the same way as the original comment. Sorry about that.
- ukthrowaway123 8y ago
  There is a british embassy in Iran. https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/uk-for-iranians https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/uk-for-iranians In fact the foreign office advises against all but non-essental travel for British-Iran dual nationals. For british citizens there is only a recommendation against travel to certain parts. For many other citizens it's, arguably, even safer.
- rdl 8y ago
  It's particularly challenging for people Iran might deem to have Iranian nationality (dual nationals obviously, but also people who were formerly or are eligible for Iranian citizenship but don't currently claim it), but otherwise a lot of the restrictions are more "our government doesn't like their government and wants to reduce trade", not actual safety risk to individuals. Unlike NK, Iran has generally not detained purely US persons who were on group tours. If there were some flare-up in tensions, sure, you could become a diplomatic problem, but otherwise it's probably safer than many other countries as a visitor.
YouKnowBetter 8y ago
Although Switzerland does have an ambassy there (In 1919, Switzerland opened a Consulate, its first diplomatic presence, in Iran.) the travel advice ((see 1))not translated to English, available in German, French and Itallian only) warns for violent clashes, risk of attacks, avoid mass events (including football matches) and demonstrations of any kind. Be generally vigilant and cautious. Follow the instructions of the local authorities. Adapt clothing and behavior to local customs as well as religious and national sentiments. Women are subject to a strict code of conduct, failure to comply with which can lead to difficulties with the police, including arrest. 1: https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/iran/en/home/travel-advice/current-situation.html https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/iran/en/home/travel-advic...
- nabla9 8y ago
  The level of threat is less than visiting in Egypt or some other common western tourist destination.

Why do you think it is unsafe to visit?

by biggio 8y ago

Why do you think it is unsafe to visit?

Why do people think it's unsafe to visit Iran? The British Foreign Office, advise against all but non-essential travel there, and advise against travel all together to large parts of it. The US State Department simply advises do not travel there at all. In fact their advice includes 'make a will' if you disregard their warning. Is there even a US diplomatic or consular presence in Iran at all? If you get in trouble, you are on your own, or maybe the Swiss will help you.

deugtniet 8y ago
As a tourist from the Netherlands I've been to Iran in 2015, and have not had any unpleasant encounters, other than a taxi driver really wanting my business. He was brushed off by other taxi drivers. Even the more religious individuals I've encountered, were always very open and pleasant to converse with. My opinion was that there is a big divide between the Iranian I've encountered on my tour, and the position of the Iranian government. Actually, I've found the people much more pleasant than in any other country I've been a tourist in Which includes the UK and the US. If you're from the US or the UK I believe you're going to have some trouble getting in, and diplomatic assistance will not be done by your own embassy, but by a friendly one. Once you're in, you shouldn't have to worry about anything other than enjoying the beautiful country. All this is except the obligatory headscarf situation. Which is really bad. If you can personally get over that, it's a great place to visit.
ubercow13 8y ago
No they don't? https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iran https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/iran
- quietbritishjim 8y ago
  The link you posted exactly supports what the GP comment said. What do you think it contradicts?
  - ubercow13 8y ago
    It does not advise against all but non-essential travel to almost all of Iran for people who arent dual citizens.
    - chrisseaton 8y ago
      Oh so it's only unsafe for Iranian nationals to visit their own country? Ok that's much more indicative of a safe country.
      - ajayh 8y ago
        Probably to do with mandatory military service. Not an issue for a non-citizen.
      - bogle 8y ago
        Iran is safe, it's just you may be arrested as a spy (if you have dual nationality): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/czgdk5znl24t/nazanin-zaghari-ratcliffe-case https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/czgdk5znl24t/nazanin-zagha...
    - quietbritishjim 8y ago
      Ah, I must've misread it in the same way as the original comment. Sorry about that.
ukthrowaway123 8y ago
There is a british embassy in Iran. https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/uk-for-iranians https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/uk-for-iranians In fact the foreign office advises against all but non-essental travel for British-Iran dual nationals. For british citizens there is only a recommendation against travel to certain parts. For many other citizens it's, arguably, even safer.
rdl 8y ago
It's particularly challenging for people Iran might deem to have Iranian nationality (dual nationals obviously, but also people who were formerly or are eligible for Iranian citizenship but don't currently claim it), but otherwise a lot of the restrictions are more "our government doesn't like their government and wants to reduce trade", not actual safety risk to individuals. Unlike NK, Iran has generally not detained purely US persons who were on group tours. If there were some flare-up in tensions, sure, you could become a diplomatic problem, but otherwise it's probably safer than many other countries as a visitor.

YouKnowBetter 8y ago

Although Switzerland does have an ambassy there (In 1919, Switzerland opened a Consulate, its first diplomatic presence, in Iran.) the travel advice ((see 1))not translated to English, available in German, French and Itallian only) warns for violent clashes, risk of attacks, avoid mass events (including football matches) and demonstrations of any kind. Be generally vigilant and cautious. Follow the instructions of the local authorities. Adapt clothing and behavior to local customs as well as religious and national sentiments. Women are subject to a strict code of conduct, failure to comply with which can lead to difficulties with the police, including arrest. 1: https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/iran/en/home/travel-advice/current-situation.html https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/iran/en/home/travel-advic...

nabla9 8y ago
The level of threat is less than visiting in Egypt or some other common western tourist destination.