🇮🇷 Iran · Asia
Safety Iran
Vigilance conseillee
Street crime is very low and hospitality exceptional: travelers feel safe even at night in Shiraz or Yazd. The real risk isn't crime but the context: geopolitical tensions, mandatory hijab, strict laws and the risk of arbitrary arrest, especially for dual nationals. Several foreign ministries advise against all travel — check your country's official advisory before departure.
Specific risks
Theft & petty crime
2Globalement sur
Scams
2Globalement sur
Natural disasters
3Vigilance conseillee
Health risks
2Globalement sur
Political stability
4Risques importants
Areas to avoid
- Zones frontalieres avec l'Afghanistan et le Pakistan (Sistan-Baloutchistan) — insecurite, enlevements
- Zone frontaliere avec l'Irak (province de Kurdistan) — tensions et mines
- Gatherings and demonstrations: absolutely to be avoided, severe repression
Emergency numbers
Police
110
Ambulance
115
Fire department
125
Health & precautions
Vaccinations
- None required
- Recommended: DTP up to date, hepatitis A and B, typhoid
- Antimalarial unnecessary for a standard tourist itinerary
Drinking water
Tap water drinkable in Tehran and the big cities, but prefer bottled water in rural areas and the desert.
Mosquitoes
Low risk in the tourist areas. Residual malaria only in the rural south-east (Sistan-Baluchistan, Hormozgan).
General notes
Good private hospitals in the big cities but payment in cash. IMPORTANT: take out Iran-specific travel insurance — most Western insurers exclude Iran because of the sanctions. Bring your personal medications; some drugs are impossible to find.
Women travelers
The hijab (headscarf covering the hair) is MANDATORY in public for all women, tourists included, along with loose clothing covering arms, legs and hips. Enforcement can be strict (patrols, fines, arrests for improper wear). That said, harassment of tourists is rare and many solo women travelers report a very warm welcome. Dress modestly, always keep a scarf within reach.
LGBTQ+ travelers
Homosexuality is illegal and theoretically punishable by heavy penalties. No legal tolerance. Couples must stay very discreet; presenting yourselves as friends traveling together generally poses no problem for rooms. Absolute caution, no public displays.
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