Iran

[CTID1988]

Thinking of going for a trip there, has anyone been or got any advice?
Ive said to a few people that im going and i get the same look, but it looks like a lovely place with great people. I know that its pretty much impossible to get money from anywhere so you need to take all cash with you and visas can be a bit of a pain. Any other advice from people who have been?

 

[Carstairs]

When you're walking down the street with your partner, don't hold his hand.

 

[stonie]

Would prefer to go to Burma or north Korea myself...can you still fly into Iran or get dropped of by a drone when they start flying there :-/

 

[The Flash]

From The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website:

"The FCO advise against all travel to the whole country.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Iran. British nationals have been arbitrarily detained in Iran in 2010 and 2011, and there is a continued risk of this occurring again.

If you choose to travel to Iran against this advice you are strongly advised to keep a low profile, stay away from any demonstrations or gatherings, avoid border areas and limit your stay to the minimum period possible. See Safety and security.

During a demonstration on 29 November 2011 the British Embassy in Tehran was attacked and set on fire. The Embassy is now closed.

The Embassy of Sweden has assumed the role of protecting power for British interests. If you need urgent consular assistance you should contact the Embassy of Sweden in Tehran. See Consular assistance.

Dual nationality is not recognised in Iran. The Iranian authorities will deny that the British government has any legitimate responsibility for British Iranians and is unlikely to grant any consular access.

There is a general threat from terrorism. See Terrorism

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel."

Your travel insurance WILL NOT BE VALID if you travel here, as nearly all insurers, my company included, will not pay out if you have travelled to a country against the advice of the FCOS.

 

[stonie]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

[CTID1988]

From The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website:

"The FCO advise against all travel to the whole country.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Iran. British nationals have been arbitrarily detained in Iran in 2010 and 2011, and there is a continued risk of this occurring again.

If you choose to travel to Iran against this advice you are strongly advised to keep a low profile, stay away from any demonstrations or gatherings, avoid border areas and limit your stay to the minimum period possible. See Safety and security.

During a demonstration on 29 November 2011 the British Embassy in Tehran was attacked and set on fire. The Embassy is now closed.

The Embassy of Sweden has assumed the role of protecting power for British interests. If you need urgent consular assistance you should contact the Embassy of Sweden in Tehran. See Consular assistance.

Dual nationality is not recognised in Iran. The Iranian authorities will deny that the British government has any legitimate responsibility for British Iranians and is unlikely to grant any consular access.

There is a general threat from terrorism. See Terrorism

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel."

Your travel insurance WILL NOT BE VALID if you travel here, as nearly all insurers, my company included, will not pay out if you have travelled to a country against the advice of the FCOS.

It just seems like scaremongering by the government that to be honest. I know a couple of people who went last year, turkey for a week then travelled to iran, said the people were some the friendliest he has met and it was a great country. The only problem he had over there were fake police asking for his passport, he just ignored them and they leave.

 

[itsnevereasy]

Don't listen to all this scaremongering. It is a lovely place, take a female companion and she is free to walk the streets in a bikini, topless even and no one will saying anything. Feel free to drink you holiday beers from the bottle in a public place whilst signing Born in the USA. The locals will love you.

 

[The Flash]

From The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website:

"The FCO advise against all travel to the whole country.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Iran. British nationals have been arbitrarily detained in Iran in 2010 and 2011, and there is a continued risk of this occurring again.

If you choose to travel to Iran against this advice you are strongly advised to keep a low profile, stay away from any demonstrations or gatherings, avoid border areas and limit your stay to the minimum period possible. See Safety and security.

During a demonstration on 29 November 2011 the British Embassy in Tehran was attacked and set on fire. The Embassy is now closed.

The Embassy of Sweden has assumed the role of protecting power for British interests. If you need urgent consular assistance you should contact the Embassy of Sweden in Tehran. See Consular assistance.

Dual nationality is not recognised in Iran. The Iranian authorities will deny that the British government has any legitimate responsibility for British Iranians and is unlikely to grant any consular access.

There is a general threat from terrorism. See Terrorism

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel."

Your travel insurance WILL NOT BE VALID if you travel here, as nearly all insurers, my company included, will not pay out if you have travelled to a country against the advice of the FCOS.

It just seems like scaremongering by the government that to be honest. I know a couple of people who went last year, turkey for a week then travelled to iran, said the people were some the friendliest he has met and it was a great country. The only problem he had over there were fake police asking for his passport, he just ignored them and they leave.

Scaremongering? What the merry fuck??? Why would they bother?

Seriously, you are putting yourself at risk by travelling there and there is nobody in the country to help you if you do get into any shit.

 

[CTID1988]

From The Foreign & Commonwealth Office website:

"The FCO advise against all travel to the whole country.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Iran. British nationals have been arbitrarily detained in Iran in 2010 and 2011, and there is a continued risk of this occurring again.

If you choose to travel to Iran against this advice you are strongly advised to keep a low profile, stay away from any demonstrations or gatherings, avoid border areas and limit your stay to the minimum period possible. See Safety and security.

During a demonstration on 29 November 2011 the British Embassy in Tehran was attacked and set on fire. The Embassy is now closed.

The Embassy of Sweden has assumed the role of protecting power for British interests. If you need urgent consular assistance you should contact the Embassy of Sweden in Tehran. See Consular assistance.

Dual nationality is not recognised in Iran. The Iranian authorities will deny that the British government has any legitimate responsibility for British Iranians and is unlikely to grant any consular access.

There is a general threat from terrorism. See Terrorism

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel."

Your travel insurance WILL NOT BE VALID if you travel here, as nearly all insurers, my company included, will not pay out if you have travelled to a country against the advice of the FCOS.

It just seems like scaremongering by the government that to be honest. I know a couple of people who went last year, turkey for a week then travelled to iran, said the people were some the friendliest he has met and it was a great country. The only problem he had over there were fake police asking for his passport, he just ignored them and they leave.

Scaremongering? What the merry fuck??? Why would they bother?

Seriously, you are putting yourself at risk by travelling there and there is nobody in the country to help you if you do get into any shit.

Fair enough. I thought the exact same thing as you but with what my mate said after going there it did sway me a little to thinking it isnt as bad as its portrayed.
The general consensus is to stay the fuck away then im guessing!

 

[Skashion]

It just seems like scaremongering by the government that to be honest. I know a couple of people who went last year, turkey for a week then travelled to iran, said the people were some the friendliest he has met and it was a great country. The only problem he had over there were fake police asking for his passport, he just ignored them and they leave.

Indeed, your perception about the Iranian people is correct. I've never heard or talked to anyone who's visited Iran, or met any Iranian, who would hold the fact that you are British against you. They are a welcoming and hospitable nation. Additionally, now Ahmadinejad has gone there should be far less recourse to be wary of the Iranian government. They have reformists in power and the mood of the country is rapprochement with the west so I think any risk of persecution or arbitrary arrest is highly improbable. If you really want to go, I'd say go. There is some good advice though with regards to travel insurance. Also, if you plan to go to the US in future, they will almost certainly ask why you visited Iran at customs. Ditto Israel who'd almost certainly refuse entry. If you've been to Israel as well, the Iranians most likely will refuse entry.