⚠ Active Conflict Alert — February 28, 2026: The U.S. has launched military operations against Iran. The State Department has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory and is urging all U.S. citizens in Iran to leave immediately. Official alert →

Frequently Asked Questions

Honest answers. No spin.

Iran travel is complicated — especially right now. We answer every question directly, including the ones most travel sites won't touch.

Current Situation — February 2026

No Not safely. Not legally advisable.

As of February 28, 2026, Iran is a Level 4: Do Not Travel destination — the U.S. State Department's highest warning level. Active U.S. military operations are underway targeting Iranian military and nuclear facilities. The U.S. Virtual Embassy in Tehran issued a shelter-in-place alert today for any Americans currently in the country.

The Swiss Embassy in Tehran handles emergency consular services for Americans since the U.S. has no diplomatic presence in Iran, but their capacity in an active conflict is extremely limited.

Updated: February 28, 2026 — Source: U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran

The situation escalated significantly in late February 2026. Key developments:

  • President Trump threatened military action if Iran did not reach a nuclear deal
  • The State Department authorized departure of non-emergency U.S. personnel from Israel
  • The U.S. launched combat operations against Iranian military and nuclear sites
  • Iran was formally designated a State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention by the State Department
  • Multiple countries — including Brazil, the Netherlands, and others — have urged citizens to leave Iran
  • Iranian airspace has been disrupted, with regional airlines rerouting flights

Diplomatic back-channel talks via Oman were ongoing as of late February, but no agreement has been reached. The situation remains highly fluid.

Updated: February 28, 2026

No We are not selling tours or encouraging anyone to travel to Iran right now. Full stop.

Iran Travel Experts is a future-focused resource. We are building a community of travelers who want to be ready when conditions change. Travel to Iran by Americans is not illegal under U.S. law, but right now it would be dangerous and we would never recommend it.

Our mailing list exists to keep you informed — including when the answer to "can I go?" changes from no to yes.

History says yes — eventually. The U.S. and Iran have been adversaries for 45 years, yet the relationship has shifted dramatically at various points (the Iran nuclear deal of 2015 being a notable example). Conflicts of this nature tend to either escalate into full-scale war or resolve into some form of negotiated détente.

Active diplomatic back-channels via Oman were reported as recently as late February 2026. Omani officials stated a deal "could be reached tomorrow" — suggesting neither side has completely closed the door on negotiation.

We don't know when this resolves. But we believe it will, and that when it does, Iran will become one of the most sought-after travel destinations on earth. The question is whether you'll be ready.

Safety & Logistics (When Travel Resumes)

It's complicated — and anyone who gives you a simple yes or no is oversimplifying.

The real risks for Americans in Iran:

  • Wrongful detention: Iran has a documented history of detaining American citizens on national security charges. This is the most serious risk. The State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory has existed for years, predating the current conflict.
  • No U.S. consular support: There is no U.S. Embassy in Iran. If something goes wrong, you are largely on your own. The Swiss Embassy provides limited emergency services.
  • Digital surveillance: Your devices may be searched at the border. VPN use is technically illegal in Iran (though widely practiced).

What the experience is actually like for most visitors:

Millions of tourists from Europe, Australia, Asia, and elsewhere visit Iran safely every year. The Iranian people are widely regarded as among the most hospitable in the world. Most tourists report feeling completely safe on the street. The risk is primarily political and diplomatic — not street crime.

European passport holders face significantly lower risk than Americans. American travelers require specialist preparation, clear documentation, and — in our view — an experienced guide with local contacts.

Historically yes, with significant caveats. Iran does not issue tourist visas to American citizens on arrival. Americans must apply in advance through a third-country Iranian embassy (commonly in Turkey, Armenia, or the UAE) and must travel with an approved Iranian tour guide — independent travel is not permitted.

Additionally, Americans with Iranian visas in their passports have historically faced secondary screening or entry denial when returning to the U.S. Many travelers use a separate passport or request a visa on a loose insert page.

Americans who have served in the military or intelligence community face additional scrutiny and in some cases have been denied visas entirely.

Visa availability and requirements change with the political situation. We monitor this and will update our mailing list when the process becomes viable again.

Iran does not recognize dual citizenship — it considers Iranian-Americans to be Iranian citizens when on Iranian soil. This means they receive no U.S. consular protection whatsoever. Iranian-Americans have historically been at higher risk of detention than non-Iranian Americans. The State Department's warnings apply with even greater force for dual nationals.

Yes, meaningfully different. Most European citizens can obtain Iranian visas on arrival or through a straightforward e-visa process. The detention risk is lower (though not zero — several Europeans have been detained in recent years). European governments issue their own travel advisories for Iran; as of February 2026, most EU governments are also advising against travel due to the current conflict.

Under normal conditions, European travel to Iran is relatively straightforward and thousands of Europeans visit annually without incident. We serve both American and European travelers, and our guidance is tailored to each audience.

No. Due to U.S. and international sanctions, no major credit or debit cards work in Iran. Visa, Mastercard, and American Express are entirely non-functional. You must bring all the cash you'll need for your entire trip — typically in Euros or U.S. dollars, which are then exchanged into Iranian rials locally.

This is one of the most important practical realities of Iran travel. Experienced travelers typically bring significantly more cash than they think they'll need, kept in a money belt. Your tour operator will advise on current exchange rates and recommended amounts.

Iran is an Islamic Republic and local laws reflect this. Key points for visitors:

  • Women must wear a hijab (headscarf) and modest clothing in public — arms and legs covered. This applies to all foreign women regardless of religion.
  • Men should wear long trousers; shorts are not appropriate in public.
  • Alcohol is illegal in Iran for everyone, including tourists. It is not available in restaurants or hotels.
  • Public displays of affection between unmarried couples are illegal.
  • Photography of government buildings, military installations, and some religious sites is prohibited. Always ask before photographing people.

In practice, enforcement of dress codes has varied significantly over the years and has been a major source of domestic political tension within Iran. Your guide will advise you on current norms.

About Iran Travel Experts

We are a team of experienced travelers, travel industry professionals, and Iran specialists building a resource for the moment American and European travel to Iran becomes viable again. We work with vetted local guides and contacts inside Iran who know the country authentically.

We are not a fly-by-night operation hoping to capitalize on a geopolitical moment. We have been studying and preparing for this opportunity for years. Our mailing list exists to build a community of serious, informed travelers who will be ready when the time comes.

That's exactly what our mailing list is for. We monitor:

  • U.S. and EU State Department / Foreign Office travel advisories
  • Diplomatic developments — nuclear negotiations, sanctions status, prisoner exchanges
  • On-the-ground reports from contacts inside Iran
  • Visa availability and entry requirements for Americans
  • Airspace status and flight availability

We will not send you on a trip until we genuinely believe it is safe, logistically viable, and worth your time and money. Our reputation depends on honest assessment — not on selling tours at any cost.

We plan to offer small-group departures (8–12 people maximum) with expert English-speaking Iranian guides who have deep knowledge of their country's history, culture, food, and off-the-beaten-path experiences.

Itineraries will be carefully designed to cover the highlights — Isfahan, Persepolis, Shiraz, Yazd, Kashan, Tehran — while also including experiences that larger tour operators miss entirely: home-cooked meals with local families, visits to traditional workshops, desert camping under the stars.

We will provide thorough pre-departure briefings covering safety protocols, digital security, documentation, what to expect at the border, and emergency contact information. You will not go in unprepared.

Because Iran is extraordinary — and almost no Americans have seen it.

Iran is home to one of the world's oldest continuous civilizations, 26 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some of the most spectacular Islamic architecture on earth, and a cuisine that most food experts consider among the world's great culinary traditions. Its people have a reputation for hospitality that consistently astonishes first-time visitors.

And it has been effectively closed to Americans for 45 years.

When that changes — and it will — there will be a brief window of authentic travel before mass tourism transforms the experience. We are building the community that will be first through that door, best prepared, and most deeply connected to what Iran actually is.

That is why we exist.

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