Supplemental Info:
Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported 4,037,258 Iranians living abroad in 2021, with over 1 million of whom are in the U.S.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 470,000 to 1 million Americans reporting full or partial Iranian ancestry. It is further estimated that of this number, 20% to 50% have retained Iranian citizenship. This is a broad approximation, as the true figure depends on individual choices, legal statuses, and unreported cases.
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Travel Advisory
Iran - Level 4: Do Not Travel
March 31, 2025
Do not travel to Iran due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens, and wrongful detention.
Country Summary: Do not travel to Iran for any reason. U.S. citizens in Iran face serious dangers. The U.S. government does not 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 United States interests in Iran. They have been kidnapped and wrongfully arrested. Some have been held for years on false charges, subjected to psychological torture, and even sentenced to death.
Detention of U.S. Nationals and Denial of Consular Access
The Department of State has determined that U.S. nationals traveling to Iran are at significant risk of wrongful detention. Iranian authorities continue to unjustly detain U.S. nationals without warning or any evidence they committed a crime. This includes dual U.S.-Iranian nationals, students, journalists, business travelers, academics, and individuals with U.S. military or government experience. Charges include espionage and posing a threat to national security. U.S. nationals are at significant risk of questioning, arrest, and detention in Iran. Having a U.S. passport or connections to the United States can be reason enough for Iranian authorities to detain someone.
Iranian authorities routinely delay consular access to detained U.S. nationals. In particular, Iranian authorities consistently deny consular access to dual U.S.-Iranian nationals.
Violent extremist groups, including U.S. government-designated terrorist organizations, operate in Iran. ISIS and related groups have taken responsibility for bombings and other attacks in the country. The risk of terrorism and deadly harm to bystanders continues.
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and Surrogacy
Companies offering surrogacy services in Iran are grossly misrepresenting the security situation in Iran and risks of the unregulated surrogacy tourism industry. Private companies that organize these visits and services put U.S. citizens in danger. Iranian surrogacy providers have also been known to misrepresent U.S. citizenship law; if a child born overseas to a surrogate is not genetically or gestationally related to a U.S. citizen parent or the spouse of a U.S. citizen, the child will not automatically acquire U.S. citizenship at birth and will not be able to obtain a U.S. passport to leave Iran.
Aviation Safety Oversight
If you decide to travel to Iran:
Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Consider the risks involved in having dual U.S.-Iranian nationality.
Review your personal security plan and visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries or power of attorney.
Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your loved ones to access them.
Establish a proof of life protocol with your loved ones. This is so that if you are taken hostage, your loved ones know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive (and to rule out a hoax).
Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones. This is so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States. Review this list of documents to prepare for your trip.
Check local media for breaking events. Be prepared to adjust your plans.
Have a plan for departing Iran that does not rely on U.S. government help.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts from the Department. It makes it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States.
Prepare a backup plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
View the Original:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/iran-travel-advisory.html
