Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE68543
2009-07-01 21:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

TRAVEL WARNING - IRAN

Tags:  CASC ASEC PTER IR 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 068543 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC PTER IR
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - IRAN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 068543

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC ASEC PTER IR
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - IRAN


1. The Department of State continues to warn U.S.
citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to
Iran. Dual national Iranian-American citizens may
encounter difficulty in departing Iran. American
citizens should stay current with media coverage of
local events and carefully consider non-essential
travel. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Iran
issued September 15, 2008.

2. Some elements in Iran remain hostile to the United
States. As a result, American citizens may be subject
to harassment or arrest while traveling or residing in
Iran. In 2009, Iranian authorities prevented a number
of Iranian-American citizens, including journalists, who
traveled to Iran for personal or professional reasons
from leaving, in some cases for several months. Iranian
authorities also detained or imprisoned Iranian-American
citizens on various charges, including espionage and
posing a threat to national security. Americans of
Iranian origin should consider the risk of being
targeted by authorities before planning travel to Iran.
Iranian authorities may deny dual nationals access to
the United States Interests Section in Tehran, because
they are considered to be solely Iranian citizens.

3. The Iranian Government continues to repress some
minority religious and ethnic groups, including Bahai,
Arabs, Kurds, Azeris, and others. Consequently, some
areas within the country where these minorities reside,
including the Baluchistan border area near Pakistan and
Afghanistan, the Kurdish northwest of the country, and
areas near the Iraqi border, remain unsafe.

4. Large-scale demonstrations with sometimes violent
outbreaks have taken place in various regions throughout
Iran, in particular over the past weeks as a result of a
volatile political climate following the June 12, 2009
presidential elections. U.S. citizens who travel to
Iran should exercise caution.

5. The U.S. government does not 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. Neither
U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued
in Tehran. The Iranian Government does not recognize
dual citizenship and will not allow the Swiss to provide
protective services for U.S. citizens who are also
Iranian nationals. 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 prosecution.

6. Americans who travel or reside in Iran are strongly
encouraged to register through the State Department's
travel registration website,
https://travelregistration.state.gov. If they are in
Tehran, American citizens may also register in person at
the Foreign Interests Section at the Swiss
Embassy currently located at No. 39, Shahid Mousavi
(Golestan 5th),Pasdaran, Tehran. The telephone numbers
for the Foreign Interests Section are (+98)(21) 2254-
2178 and (+98)(21) 2256-5273, fax (+98)(21) 225-2258-
0432, email: tie.vertretung@eda.admin.ch, website:
http://www.eda.admin.ch/tehran.
U.S. citizens should also consult the Department of
State's Country Specific Information for Iran, and the
current Worldwide Caution, which are located on the
Department's Internet web site at
http://travel.state.gov. American citizens may also
obtain updated information on travel and security

STATE 00068543 002 OF 002


conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the
United States and Canada or, from outside the United
States and Canada, +1-202-501-4444.

7. Minimize considered.
CLINTON