Is Mashhad safe to visit right now? (November 2026)

Travel advisories for Iran

What the advice says

• The US Department of State advisory for Iran is Level 4 - Do Not Travel, dated 2026-10-23. This is a country-level advisory, not specific to Mashhad.
• The UK FCDO advisory is also issued at the country level rather than for Mashhad specifically, and was last updated October 27, 2026.
• The FCDO notes a high threat of terrorism globally affecting British nationals, and states that terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Iran, including in places frequented by foreign nationals; recent examples cited include attacks in Kerman in January 2024 and at the Shah Cheragh mausoleum in Shiraz in 2022 and 2023.
• The FCDO states that in an emergency the UK government will not be able to evacuate British nationals, provide face-to-face assistance, or guarantee that air, sea, and land routes out of Iran will remain open.
• The FCDO describes a very high risk of arrest, questioning, and detention for British nationals and British-Iranian dual nationals, noting that holding a British passport or having perceived UK connections can be reason enough for detention, and that detention can carry risks including imprisonment, fines, or a death sentence for security-related accusations.
• The FCDO warns that being in or near a protest carries a serious risk of arrest, that mass arrests including of bystanders occur often, and that protests can turn violent and are difficult to predict in location.
• Solo travelers should stay aware of their surroundings at all times, keep up to date with local media, follow instructions from local authorities, avoid photographing sensitive sites, and take extra caution after dark, as none of the provided data gives Mashhad-specific emergency contact numbers.