Is Tehran safe to visit right now? (September 2026)

Travel advisories for Iran

What the advice says

• The US State Department rates Iran at Level 4: Do Not Travel, its highest risk category, in an advisory dated December 5, 2025.
• This advisory and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office guidance apply at the country level, not specifically to Tehran.
• The UK FCDO describes a high threat of terrorist attack in Iran, including at sites frequented by foreign nationals, citing incidents such as the January 2024 Kerman bombings and the 2022 and 2023 attacks at the Shah Cheragh mausoleum in Shiraz.
• British nationals and other foreign nationals face a very high risk of arrest, questioning, and detention, and the FCDO warns that security-related charges can carry the death penalty.
• The FCDO notes that the UK government cannot guarantee evacuation or consular access in an emergency, and that air, sea, and land routes are controlled by Iranian authorities who may close them without notice.
• Being near protests carries a serious risk of arrest, as mass arrests including of bystanders occur often, according to the FCDO.
• As with any destination under this level of advisory, solo travelers should avoid unfamiliar areas after dark and keep embassy or family contacts informed of their plans at all times.