Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Police & Security Forces
Uniformed police and military are ubiquitous but have no interest in hassling foreigners.
In cities such as Esfahan, Shiraz and Mashhad you'll find helpful Tourist Police - usually
including an English-speaker - in conveniently located booths.
Photographing the wrong thing is the action most likely to arouse police interest. We've
been detained several times (at the border, Tehran train station etc). In all cases we acted
unwittingly (which has been genuine) and emphasised we were tourists, then deleted the
pictures and were allowed to move on. Don't argue in these situations. See
Click here
for
what to do if you are arrested.
Road Safety
Iranian driving is unpredictable and it's on the road - or crossing it - that you're most
likely to be in danger. There's little you can do to control this beyond asking your driver
to slow down
(yavash tar boro!)
or taking a train. For more on road safety,
Click here
.
Security Checks
Foreigners are expected to carry their passport at all times, but this can be tricky as hotels
are also supposed to keep guests' passports for police inspection. Always carry several
photocopies of both your passport's face page and your Iranian visa, and if you go out of
town leave a photocopy at reception and take the passport. If you are stopped, show your
photocopies unless you are sure the police are genuine.
On roads near borders your transport is likely to be stopped by police searching for
drugs and other smuggled goods;
Click here
.
