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Here's some travel advice to keep you informed and safe when it comes to travel to Iran...
Terrorism
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Iran because of the threat of terrorist attack against Western interests. We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets in Iran, including places frequented by foreigners.
Acts of political violence occur throughout Iran, particularly in the capital, Tehran. These include bomb attacks against both foreign targets and Iranian government establishments. In June 2005, bomb attacks occurred in a number of cities in Iran, several of which were aimed at government buildings. Violent incidents over the past two years targeting the British embassy compound underline the potential for Western interests in Iran to be targeted with violence.
Civil Unrest/Political Tension
Large demonstrations and threats to western interests have occurred in Tehran over the publication in some western countries of cartoons depicting Islam's Prophet Mohammed.
You should avoid any large gatherings and demonstrations, pay close attention to your personal security and monitor the media for updates.
Border areas near Iraq: We strongly advise you not to travel to areas near the border between Iran and Iraq, in particular Ilam Province and Khorramshahr in Khuzestan Province because of the extremely dangerous security situation. Deadly bomb attacks have occurred in the city of Ahwaz. Violent confrontations between government forces and Iranian opposition groups based in Iraq are ongoing. There have been violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces in the Kurdestan, Kermanshahr and southern districts of West Azerbaijan Provinces, centred in the city of Sanandaj.
Crime
Tourists have been robbed by bogus plain clothes policemen performing drug and counterfeit currency searches and demanding identification for examination.
Border areas near Pakistan and Afghanistan: We strongly advise you not to travel to the regions bordering Pakistan in Sistan and Baluchistan province and the border with Afghanistan in Khorasan province. Violent clashes between security forces and drug traffickers often occur in these eastern border regions, in particular the regions of Khorasan and Sistan va Baluchestan. Foreigners have been kidnapped by drug traffickers in the area, most recently in December 2003. Travel at night is particularly hazardous.
Local Travel
There are serious safety concerns about Russian built aircraft on many of Iran's domestic air services.
Natural Disasters
Iran is in an active seismic zone and experiences frequent earthquakes, including several major earthquakes in recent years.
Information on natural disasters can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service. If a natural disaster occurs, follow the advice of local authorities.
Local Law and Customs
Travellers are reminded that when overseas, they are subject to local laws. Local laws and legal processes can be very different from those at home. A violation of local laws may result in a jail sentence, served in a local prison. Consular assistance cannot override local law, even where local laws may appear harsh or unjust by your standards.
Penalties for importing and possessing drugs are severe and include the death penalty.
Homosexual acts are illegal in Iran and penalties include the death penalty and corporal punishment.
Iran is an Islamic theocracy with strict laws on dress and conduct and you should take care not to offend. The dress code is enforced at all times, including during sports activities.
Close contact between unmarried men and women (especially non-Muslims and Muslims) is prohibited. The penalties for breaching these laws are severe.
Photography near military or government buildings and installations is strictly prohobited.
Entry and Exit Requirements
Visa conditions change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of the Iran or the Iran Department of Immigration on (678) 22 354 for the most up to date information.
Dual national females may require the permission of their husband or a senior male relative to leave Iran.
Iranian immigration officials may confiscate foreign passports of dual nationals.
Failure to declare foreign currency taken into Iran may result in undeclared foreign exchange being confiscated on departure.
The importation of all alcohol, pork products and short wave radios as well as printed and recorded (videos, CDs, cassettes) and Western material (including that of a religious nature) is considered culturally sensitive and is strictly prohibited.
Health Issues
Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about immunisations
and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful
tips for staying healthy while travelling overseas.
We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time youll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, if you cant afford travel insurance, you cant afford to travel.
Avian Influenza: The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.
There has been a human case of avian influenza in Iraq. The Department of Health and Ageing advises Australians who reside in Iraq for an extended period to consider, as a precautionary measure, having access to influenza antiviral medicine for treatment. Long term residents are at a greater risk of exposure to avian influenza over time. Medical advice should be sought before antiviral medicines are commenced. Australians intending to travel to Iraq for shorter periods are at much lower risk of infection but should discuss the risk of avian influenza with their doctor as part of their routine pre-travel health checks.
If the avian influenza virus mutates to a form where efficient human-to-human transmission occurs, it may spread quickly and local authorities could move quickly to impose restrictions on travel. Australian travellers and long-term residents in Iraq should be prepared to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being, including deciding when to leave an affected area and ensuring they have appropriate contingency plans in place. Australians in Iraq should monitor the travel advice and bulletin for updated information and advice, and ensure that their travel documents, including passports and visas for any non-Australian family members, are up to date in case they need to depart at short notice.
In February 2006 the Australian Government decided as a precautionary measure to hold a limited supply of the antiviral medicine oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and protective face masks at its embassy in Iraq. The antivirals would primarily be used to protect emergency staff providing consular and other essential services in the event of a widespread outbreak of avian influenza amongst humans. Australian missions will not be in a position to provide influenza antiviral medicines to Australians in affected areas and it is the responsibility of individual Australians to secure their own supply of such medicines (such as Tamiflu or Relenza), if required.
Infectious diseases, such as typhoid and cholera are very common. Iraqi hospitals have limited facilities.
Source: Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
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