Not only is it legal to travel to Iran, but the country is planning to open its first U.S. tourist office in New York City. The staffers at Iran's U.N. mission in New York got a little giddy and loosened their guard with DP after the elections. "Iran is very safe!" he proclaimed. "We love Americans! Many Iranians want to be just like Americans. Tell me when you're coming. I will tell you how to leave the airport (without being followed)!" 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 prevent the confiscation of U.S. passports, the Department of State suggests that Americans leave their U.S. passports at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas for safekeeping before entering Iran. To facilitate their travel in the event of the confiscation of a U.S. passport, dual nationals may obtain in their Iranian passports the necessary visas for countries that they will transit on their return to the United States, and where they may apply for a new U.S. passport. Dual nationals must enter and leave the United States on U.S. passports. 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 U.S. interests in Iran and provides only very limited consular services. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Tehran.
Iran Touring and Tourism
Deputy Minister for Tourism and Pilgrimage Affairs
Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
Hajj and Pilgrimage Building, Third floor
Azadi Avenue
P.O. Box 13445-993
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Tel.: (98-21) 6423042, 6432098, 6432107
Fax: (98-21) 6433842, 6432088
Telex: 21-2089
E-mail: toursmec@www.dci.co.ir
http://www.itto.org/
Information on Iran
http://tehran.stanford.edu\
Visa and passport are required. The Iranian government maintains an interests section through the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, D.C.: Embassy of Pakistan, 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007, Tel.: (202) 965-4990
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