Iran - Travel Warning August 31, 1993 The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against travel to Iran, where danger continues to exist because of the generally anti-American atmosphere and Iranian government hostility to the U.S. government. U.S. citizens traveling to Iran have been detained without charge, arrested and harassed by Iranian authorities. There are restrictions on both import and export of goods from Iran to the United States. The U.S. government does not currently have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran and provides only very limited consular services. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the U.S. are issued in Tehran. Further details are available in the Department of State's Consular Information Sheet for Iran. No. 93-035 This replaces the Department of State Travel Warning for Iran issued January 8, 1993, to include information on the limits on available consular services in Iran. Iran - Consular Information Sheet August 31, 1993 Warning: The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against travel to Iran, where danger continues to exist because of the generally anti-American atmosphere and Iranian government hostility to the U.S. government. U.S. citizens traveling to Iran have been detained without charge, arrested and harassed by Iranian authorities. There are restrictions on both import and export of goods from Iran to the United States. The U.S. government does not currently have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as the protecting power for U.S. interests in Iran and provides only very limited consular services. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the U.S. are issued in Tehran. Country Description: Iran is a constitutional Islamic Republic, governed by executive and legislative branches that derive national leadership primarily through the Muslim clergy. Shia Islam is the official religion of Iran, and Islamic law is the basis of the authority of the state. Islamic ideals and beliefs provide the conservative foundation of the country's customs, laws and practices. Iran is a developing country. The workweek in Iran is Sunday through Thursday. Entry Requirements: Visa and passport are required. The Iranian government maintains an Interests Section through the Embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., located at 2209 Wisconsin Avenue N.W., Washington D.C. 20007, telephone (202) 965-4990. U.S. passports are valid for travel to Iran. However, U.S./Iranian dual nationals have often had their U.S. passports confiscated upon arrival and have been denied permission to depart the country documented as U.S. citizens. To prevent the confiscation of U.S. passports, the Department of State suggests that Americans leave their U.S. passports at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas for safekeeping before entering Iran. To facilitate their travel in the event of the confiscation of a U.S. passport, dual nationals may obtain in their Iranian passports the necessary visas for countries which they will transit on their return to the U.S., and where they may apply for a new U.S. passport. Dual nationals must enter and leave the United States on U.S. passports. Areas of Instability: Travel to Iran continues to be dangerous because of the generally anti-American atmosphere and Iranian government hostility to the U.S. government. U.S. citizens traveling in Iran have been detained without charge, arrested and harassed by Iranian authorities. Persons in Iran who violate Iranian laws, including laws which are unfamiliar to westerners (such as laws regarding the proper wearing apparel), may face penalties which are at times severe. Iranian Transaction Regulations: The United States prohibits the importation of all Iranian-origin goods or services into the United States without authorization. This authorization may be obtained for qualifying goods from either of two sources: the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control ("FAC") (tel. 202-622-2480) or the U.S. Customs Service ("Customs") in the port where goods arrive. FAC criteria for authorization: FAC issues licenses only for goods which were located outside of Iran prior to imposition of these sanctions on October 29, 1987. Goods in Iran after that do not qualify for authorization from Customs criteria for authorization: Iranian-origin goods, including those that were in Iran after October 29, 1987, may enter the United States if they qualify for entry under the following provisions administered solely by Customs: (1) gifts valued at 100 dollars or less, (2) goods for personal use contained in the accompanied baggage of persons traveling from Iran valued at 400 dollars or less, or (3) goods qualifying for duty-free treatment as "household goods" or "personal effects" (as defined by U.S. law and subject to quantity limitations). Inquiries about these provisions should be directed to Customs in the U.S. port where the goods would arrive. Trade Restrictions: While there is no blanket prohibition against U.S. companies doing business with companies in Iran, there are restrictions on U.S. exports to Iran as well as on the importation of Iranian-origin goods and services into the U.S. Questions concerning exports to Iran may be addressed to the Department of Commerce, Office of Export Licensing at (202) 482-4811. Medical Facilities: Basic medical care and medicines are available in the principal cities of Iran, but may not be available in outlying areas. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage has proved useful. The international travelers' hotline at the Center for Disease Control, tel. (404) 332-4559, has additional useful health information. Information on Crime: Major crime is generally not a problem for travelers in Iran, though travelers occasionally have been victims of petty street crime. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police and the U.S. Interests Section or nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to the Middle East and North Africa." They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws and legal practices of the countries in which they travel. Penalties in Iran for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Dual Citizenship: U.S. citizens who were born in Iran or who were at one time citizens of Iran, and the children of such persons, may be considered Iranian nationals by Iranian authorities, and may be subject to Iranian laws which impose special obligations upon Iranian nationals, such as military service or taxes. Exit permits for departure from Iran for such persons may be denied until such obligations are met. Dual nationals often have their U.S. passports confiscated and may be denied permission to leave Iran, or encounter other problems with Iranian authorities. Measures which can be taken to facilitate travel, in the event a U.S. passport is confiscated, are discussed in Paragraph 3 of this information sheet. Specific questions on dual nationality may be directed to the Office of Citizens Consular Services, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520, Phone: (202) 647- 3926. Embassy Location: There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Iran. The U.S. Interests Section of the Swiss Embassy in Tehran is located at Bucharest Ave., 17th street, No. 5, Tehran. The local telephone numbers are (98-21) 625-223/224 and 626-906. No. 93-214 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated January 8, 1993 to update the warning, information on Iranian transactions, entry requirements, and dual nationality, and to add information on reporting the loss of theft of a U.S. passport abroad.