| IRAN |
| GENESIS-SCI TRAVEL WARNINGS & ALAERTS |
May 12, 2003
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to Iran. This
supersedes the Travel Warning for Iran of January 30, 2002, to update information about the security
situation in Iran.
Tensions generated by the current situation in Iraq have increased the potential threat to U.S. citizens and
interests abroad posed by those who oppose U.S.policy. Some elements of the Iranian government and
population remain hostile to the U.S. Some areas of the country, including the Baluchistan border area
near Pakistan and Afghanistan generally, are not safe for tourism. There were several bombings in January
2003 in the vicinity of Zahedan, the capital of the Sistan va Baluchistan province. The Kurdish northwest
of the country and areas near the Iraqi border are not considered safe either.
Large-scale demonstrations have taken place in various regions throughout Iran over the past several
years as a result of a sometimes-volatile political climate. U.S. citizens who go to Iran should exercise
caution.
The U.S. government does not currently have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of
Iran and therefore cannot provide protection or routine consular services to American citizens in Iran. The
Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in
Iran. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Tehran. The Iranian Government
does not recognize dual citizenship and generally does not permit the Swiss to provide protective services
for U.S. citizens who are also Iranian nationals. In addition, U.S. citizens of Iranian origin who are
considered by Iran to be Iranian citizens have been detained and harassed by Iranian authorities. Former
Muslims who have converted to other religions, as well as persons who encourage Muslims to convert,
are subject to arrest and possible execution.
The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to consider carefully the risks of travel to Iran. This
supersedes the Travel Warning for Iran of January 30, 2002, to update information about the security
situation in Iran.
Tensions generated by the current situation in Iraq have increased the potential threat to U.S. citizens and
interests abroad posed by those who oppose U.S.policy. Some elements of the Iranian government and
population remain hostile to the U.S. Some areas of the country, including the Baluchistan border area
near Pakistan and Afghanistan generally, are not safe for tourism. There were several bombings in January
2003 in the vicinity of Zahedan, the capital of the Sistan va Baluchistan province. The Kurdish northwest
of the country and areas near the Iraqi border are not considered safe either.
Large-scale demonstrations have taken place in various regions throughout Iran over the past several
years as a result of a sometimes-volatile political climate. U.S. citizens who go to Iran should exercise
caution.
The U.S. government does not currently have diplomatic or consular relations with the Islamic Republic of
Iran and therefore cannot provide protection or routine consular services to American citizens in Iran. The
Swiss government, acting through its Embassy in Tehran, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in
Iran. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Tehran. The Iranian Government
does not recognize dual citizenship and generally does not permit the Swiss to provide protective services
for U.S. citizens who are also Iranian nationals. In addition, U.S. citizens of Iranian origin who are
considered by Iran to be Iranian citizens have been detained and harassed by Iranian authorities. Former
Muslims who have converted to other religions, as well as persons who encourage Muslims to convert,
are subject to arrest and possible execution.
