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Iran - Travel Warning
August 24, 2001
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to carefully
consider the risks of travel to Iran and recommends that Americans who
travel there exercise caution. The Kurdish northwest of the country, the
area near the Iraqi border, and the Baluchistan border area near Pakistan
and Afghanistan is generally not safe for tourism.
Iranian President Khatami has conducted a "Dialogue Among Civilizations"
under the sponsorship of the United Nations, and called for an increase in
private exchanges between Iranians and Americans - and some limited
exchanges have taken place. However, given that some elements of the Iranian
government and population remain hostile to the United Sates, that the
Iranian political situation remains volatile, and that some areas of the
country are unsafe for tourism, Americans should exercise caution in
deciding whether to travel to Iran, and where to go within the country.
The U.S. government does not currently have diplomatic or consular
relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran and therefore cannot provide
protection or routine consular services to American citizens in Iran. The
Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as protecting
power for U.S. interests in Iran. The Iranian government does not recognize
dual citizenship and generally does not permit the Swiss to provide
protective services for American citizens who are also Iranian nationals. In
addition, U.S. citizens of Iranian origin who are considered by Iran to be
Iranian citizens have been detained and harassed by Iranian authorities.
Former Muslims who have converted to other religions, as well as persons who
encourage Muslims to convert, are subject to arrest and possible execution.
The Iranian government reportedly has the names of all individuals who filed
claims against Iran, and who received awards, at the Iran-U.S. Claims
Tribunal at The Hague pursuant to the 1981 Algerian Accords. There are
restrictions on both the import and the export of goods between Iran and the
United States. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are
issued in Tehran.
For further general information about Iran, please consult the Department
of State's latest Consular Information on Iran, which may be found on the
Internet at http://travel.state.gov.
This supersedes the Travel Warning for Iran of August 24, 2001, to update
the security situation in Iran.
Courtesy of:
USA Travel Department
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