Iran
Warnings and insurance
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
FCDO advises against all travel to Iran
FCDO advises against all travel to Iran. If you are a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying.
British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention. Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you.
Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
Regional risks
Due to the threat posed by escalation in the region, we advise against all travel to Iran.
Iranian airspace has now closed.
British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances. These include:
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read If you’re affected by a crisis abroad - GOV.UK. This includes guidance on “how to prepare for a crisis” with suggestions on what you might include in your emergency supplies and “what to do in a crisis”
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sign up to FCDO Travel Advice email alerts
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monitor local and international media for the latest information
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stay away from areas around security or military facilities
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keep your departure plans under review, and ensure your travel documents are up to date
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if you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection
Protests
Protests have been taking place in a number of locations across Iran. There are reports of violence and fatalities, as well as the arrest and detention of protesters by the Iranian authorities.
There is ongoing disruption to communications across Iran, with severe limitations on internet access. Some international flights have also been cancelled. Check with your airline for further information.
If you are at or near a protest, you are at serious risk of arrest. Even if you avoid protests and crowds, British nationals face a very high risk of arrest, questioning and detention in Iran. Monitor media for further updates.
Limited UK government support
UK government support is extremely limited in Iran. No face-to-face consular assistance will be possible in an emergency and the UK government will not be able to help you if you get into difficulty in Iran.
Due to the ongoing security situation, we have taken the precautionary measure to temporarily withdraw UK staff from Iran. Our embassy continues to operate remotely.
Travel insurance
If you choose to travel to Iran against FCDO advice, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
About FCDO travel advice
FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
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