From: 76702.1202@CompuServe.COM (Charlie Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.travel
Subject: *NEW* TRAVEL INFORMATION -- Iran
Date: 12 Jan 1993 21:08:21 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Iran
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Iran - Travel Warning
 January 8, 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.  The 
U.S. government does not currently have diplomatic or consular 
relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran.  There are restrictions 
on both import and export of goods from Iran to the United States.  
Further details are available in the Department of State consular 
information sheet.

 No. 93-002

This replaces the Department of State travel advisory warning dated 
February 18, 1992.

Iran - Consular Information Sheet
 January 8, 1993

Warning:  The Department of State warns U.S. citizens against 
travel to Iran.  The United States 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.

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 625-223/224 and 626-906.  The workweek for the Interests 
Section is Sunday through Thursday.

Country Description:  Iran is a constitutional Islamic Republic, 
governed by executive and legislative branches which 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.

Entry Requirements:  Visa and passport 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) 965-4990/4.  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 facilitate their travel in the event of the 
confiscation of a U.S. passport, dual nationals can obtain in their 
Iranian passports the necessary visas for countries which they will 
transit on their return to the U.S.  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 has imposed an 
embargo on the importation of goods from Iran.  Goods of Iranian 
origin, including personal effects, may not be imported into the 
United States without a license issued by the Office of Foreign 
Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (OFAC) in 
Washington, D.C.  The U.S. Customs Service is required to seize 
goods of Iranian origin which are imported without a license.  Only 
goods sent as gifts which are valued at $100 or less, or accompanied 
baggage of travelers containing goods of Iranian origin valued at 
$400 or less, may be imported without further authorization from 
OFAC.  Further information can be obtained from OFAC by calling 
(202) 622-2480.

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.  Questions 
regarding the importation of goods or services from Iran may be 
addressed to the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign 
Assets Control, (202) 622-2480.

Medical Facilities:  Basic medical care and medicines are available 
in the principal cities of Iran, but not necessarily 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 Centers 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.  Useful information on guarding valuables and 
protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in 
the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad."  It is 
available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government 
Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  Penalties 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, 
therefore, be subject to Iranian laws.  These laws may impose 
special obligations upon Iranian nationals, such as military service 
or taxes.  Exit permits for departure from Iran 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 the paragraph on entry requirements in 
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, telephone:  (202) 647-3926.

 No. 93-013