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Anonymous
Hello /trv/, I was hoping that you could help me clarify a couple of things.

In the next 3-5 years, I want to visit Tehran. However, there are certain restrictions placed upon me as a U.S. citizen that makes me think that the type of trip that I want is logistically improbable.

From what I understand, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs doesn't allow American (and additionally, British and Canadian) passport holders to travel independently. They have to be either part of a tour that is conducted by an Iranian Travel Agency or must have a personally constructed itinerary submitted to an Iranian Travel Agency that "must be strictly adhered".

I really don't care for the rest of the country, I just want to visit Tehran and see everything at my own pace (specifically Jordan Avenue). My visit isn't religiously or politically motivated, I just want to see what life is like in Tehran.

If anyone on /trv/ has been to Tehran that is from the U.S., Canada, or Great Britain. I want to know if there is anyway I can conduct the trip described above in any way.

Pic related, it's the sort of things that I'd want to see.
>> Anonymous
Unhelpful ausfag here. I'd just like to state how awesome it is for me to be able to travel freely within Iran.
Come to think of it, I'm in the process of planning a trip there now. With a further destination of Havana, Cuba. I'm very excited!
>> Anonymous
>>74592

OP here.

You're a dick. How your country manages to stay neutral with Iran despite having the Union Jack on your flag floors me.
>> Anonymous
*yawn* *stretch* I agree with you, unhelpful Australian. I can't wait to go there on my Italian passport and get a visa on arrival.
>> Anonymous
And yet another unhelpful post.

Look, there must be hundreds, if not, thousands of Iranian-Americans who go to Iran annually to visit family and what-not. I'm sure they aren't forced to buy a packaged tour to do it either. If they can do it, why can't I?
>> Anonymous
>>74601
Sure, they go on their Iranian passport though ^_^
>> Anonymous
>>74602
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF
>> Anonymous
>>74603
Do you have any recourse of getting dual citizenship, like a Irish/Italian grandparent or something?
>> Anonymous
Welcome to the World, where it no longer allows you to see or travel it because people own it.
>> Anonymous
>>74604

Hell no. The earliest non-American relative that I know of died somewhere between 1801 to 1810 and he was from Germany.
>> Anonymous
>>74606
Time to naturalize in another country, Hoss. You can do it in Belgium in three years.
>> Anonymous
Okay, I have done some research and I've managed to find something.

According to this Visa application form I'm looking at, which is from the Iranian Interests section of the Pakistan Embassy in the U.S., in order to gain an entry visa rather than a tourist visa, I have to contact "a business associate, friend, or relative in Iran" and ask them to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to let me in.


Hmmmmmm........

I wonder where I can find an Iranian who can get me the right connections?
>> Anonymous
yeah sure, like that will work.
>> Anonymous
>>74609

There's only one way to find out.

I'll ask one Iranian that I know I can find about traveling there. He owns a Persian rug shop in Tulsa. I'll see if he has any tips.

Better than going to a Mosque and trying to solicit a visa, I guess.
>> Anonymous
>>74608
Are you sure that information isn't valid for Pakistani citizens, not US citizens wanting to enter Iran? Make sure that information is up to date as well. Visa restrictions can change frequently with a lot of online sources being out of date. Best bet would be to talk to the Iranian embassy or consulate in the US.
>> Anonymous
Sup OP, I'm an Iranian-Canadian, so I'll try and answer any questions you have.

I'm pretty sure you can get into Iran without a guide because that's how my cousin's husband got in, before they had met/married. Granted this was like 10 years ago.

Although I don't see why you wouldn't want a guide, because it will be sort of hard getting around without knowing the language etc. Just see if you can find an "informational" guide instead of a "sight seeing" guide.

You might be able to get more information here: http://www.irpedia.com/

In the mean time, you can look at pictures of Tehran and possibly get more info at:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=351718

Also, the Swiss embassy acts as the US embassy in Iran, so you may want to contact them as well.
>> Anonymous
>>74614

Thanks for the helpful consideration.

As I had stated, I plan on traveling to Tehran within 3-5 years. By this time, I would have dedicated some time in studying Farsi and looking at places to go. Some of those places include:

Jordan Avenue (Africa Blvd.): Western-style stores that managed to survive the cultural revolution still survive. As a result, much of the teenage population congregate here.

Azadi Tower: Large monument originally dedicated to the Shah, but has since represented the Islamic Revolution.

US Den of Espionage (Formerly the U.S. Embassy Building): The building which has come to represent the relations between the United States and Iran for nearly three decades.

My main reason for visiting Tehran is for social observation. With that, I need to travel around Tehran unrestrained by some tour group or some blasted itinerary.
>> Anonymous
>>74620

Well I can understand that, I just hope Tehran hasn't been flattened by that time.

It's too bad you do not have another passport. My Norwegian friends were able to get 3 week visas by simply applying and then extended them for another 2 weeks.

If you'd like to learn some Persian you should get a copy of "An Introduction to Persian" by Wheeler M. Thackston, it is very comprehensive and I mean very comprehensive, so if you just want to learn phrases this isn't the book for you.

To be honest though, most laws in Iran concerning visas are loose to say the least. It all depends on who you know.
>> Anonymous
>>74624

Since I don't know anyone, that really doesn't work for me. The fact that I'm an American doesn't help me either.
>> Anonymous
I've been to Tehran, Shitty country.

Shitty people, Shitty economy, Everyone will rip you off, Shitty food...Everything is rice and Kofta kebab Give me a fucking break.

The media in that country is okay, I mean they have some good iranian dramas you can watch on the hotel tv. The music is okay, But be warned it's mostly popish love bullshit = Mainstream bs.

The people are generally shitty, one will stir up a convo in the street with you, If you are clearly not iranian...Which is so easy to tell.

once it gets dark, The muggers come up. yes they mug unsuspecting victims. Be on alert. They usually try a hit and run. But you can fight them...They don't really pack a gun, But it's not wise to fight because they can have a gun 50/50 chance. not worth it. Just run.

But anyway, Most people are poor. Rare to find middle class...EXTREMELY RARE - to find rich people. They just barely exist over there.

Anyway, the sights are unique, Enjoy the scenes, Take some pictures, and just make it a memory.

I cannot tell you to go or not, YOUR CHOICE. if you want to go...JUST GO

why let someone tell you otherwise
>> Anonymous
>>74629

And you are from what country, good sir?
>> Anonymous
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>>74629But anyway, Most people are poor. Rare to find middle class...EXTREMELY RARE - to find rich people. They just barely exist over there.

1. Northern Tehran: Wealthy areas , Upper Class
2. East: Middle Class
3. West: Middle Class and Upper Middle Class and Wealthy closer to the North East Corner and center of the area
4. Central Tehran: Middle Class
5. South: Lower middle class, poor areas in the further south and south end tips of the city

>Everything is rice and Kofta kebab Give me a fucking break.

lol I know what you mean... but there are lot's of other things you could have ordered. You could have even gotten fried and burgers if you were so inclined.

>The people are generally shitty, one will stir up a convo in the street with you, If you are clearly not iranian...Which is so easy to tell.

I thought talking to locals was one of the main attractions of traveling?
>> Anonymous
So, what is the deal with fucking in Iran? If you meet a cute girl somewhere and you both want to bang, is there a good chance she's going to cry rape and get you hanged?
>> Anonymous
>>74637
>>74635

These are all nice and wonderful comments and questions, but we're getting off topic.

Question: How can I, a male Caucasian non-mulsim American, travel through Tehran independently without any tour group or some itinerary to conform to?

A comment from a person that has went to Tehran whose physical description like mine would be very helpful.
>> Anonymous
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>>74637

If you BOTH want to bang? Then no, you just go someone's house, whether it be hers or yours or a friends, and you do want you do.
>> Anonymous
>>74640
Sorry, OP. This thread is now about banging chicks in Iran.

>>74641
Isn't secks outside of marriage illegal there though?
>> Anonymous
i'm quite interested in doing the train ride to Iran thorugh Turkey. I read an account of this by some British people and they got into Iran ok.
>> Anonymous
>>74640

Sorry... but I found this here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1142.html


ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: Should you decide to travel to Iran despite the current Travel Warning, a passport and visa are required, except for travel to Kish Island. To obtain a visa, contact the Iranian Interests Section of the Embassy of Pakistan located at 2209 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007; tel. 202-965-4990, 91, 92, 93, 94, 99, fax 202-965-1073, 202-965-4990 (Automated Fax-On-Demand after office hours). Their web site is http://www.daftar.org/Eng/default.asp?lang=eng.

and

http://www.daftar.org/forms/visas/101.pdf

So just find an Iranian with a relative in Iran to send a request for you.
>> Anonymous
>>74644

Duly noted and considered, however:

"At present the Iranian Foreign Ministry does not allow American passport holders to travel to Iran independently.

Americans are required to travel on escorted tours; either as part of a tour group, or a tailor made individual tour. An exact itinerary, to which you must adhere, is compulsory."

I don't want a tour group, so can I just write up some bullshit itinerary and simply stay in Tehran?
>> Anonymous
>>74641
Also, MOAR!
>> Anonymous
>>74646

Nope. Condoms and other contraceptions are widely available at any pharmacy.

>>74649

Theoretically, yes. Just list the landmarks in Tehran and you would never have to leave.
>> Anonymous
>>74652

Well, I don't plan on leaving Tehran so it works. I thought about going up to the Caspian coast, but I can remove that for simplicity's sake.
>> Anonymous
Here's question: Why the fuck do you want to go to Iran?

I don't care if they're "not technically an Arab society", we all know it's the same exact fucking thing as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Iraq, etc...all of which allow you unfettered access throughout their borders.
>> Anonymous
>>74652
Are you sure about sex outside of marriage being okay? All my sources are pointing to no.
>> Anonymous
>>74658

Do Catholics strictly adhere to a policy of no sex before marriage?
>> Anonymous
>>74656
>Why the fuck do you want to go...
GTFO.
>> Anonymous
>>74660
Of course not. Catholics also don't have to face jail time or lashes when violating their religious code either.
>> Anonymous
To OP:
If you really want to take your own tour through Iran, just show up at Tehran, say you're gonna take the ITA tour, and then disappear. Tour the country via bus with a fake ID, get to the Iraqi border at some point and then fly home from Baghdad. They've got bigger shit on their plate than finding some American tourist who wouldn't take their stupid tour.
>> Anonymous
>>74656

The reason, as stated before, is social observation.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and the U.A.E. are just billionaire playgrounds. One day spending money there would be the equivalent of our average annual salary. Sometimes easily more than that

Iraq is a militant warzone, possibility getting killed is significantly higher than Iran.
>> Anonymous
>>74663

Sounds like too much trouble to tour the country, especially since I stated many times that I want to travel around Tehran AND NO WHERE ELSE!
>> Anonymous
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>>74654

Well listen, you should at least travel around the country a bit because unless you make some friends in Tehran and get invited to the underground concerts/house parties, you'll probably get bored after a week or so, but I don't know, up to you. Also, knowing people to get alcohol is good too.
>> Anonymous
>>74667

Ugly Iranian party kids are ugly
>> Anonymous
>>74667

I'm not going there to make friends. Going to underground social events would be a plus, but it would probably be a bad idea.

Going to underground parties = running the risk of being arrested by Revolutionary Guards (morality police).

Arrest in Tehran = No legal recourse, since my country officially warned me about not going to Tehran

No legal recourse = At the mercy of Iran's theocratic justice system.
>> Anonymous
>>74656

The difference is, most Iranians are not observant as so don't give two shits about Islam. Unlike Arab countries.

>>74658

Well, I've had sex in Iran and both my head and dick are intact, so I'm going to go ahead and say it's safe.

Besides do you think all those dating teens are going to wait until marriage? Like I said most Iranians are not observant or are secular.

>>74663

I don't think this would work because right after you're plane lands and before language pick-up there's a large passport check counter, soft of like customs... so getting past them would be tricky. But after that, it's not hard to get "lost".
>> Anonymous
>>74670
Good to hear. Time for some Persian puss!
>> Anonymous
>>74669

I suppose you have a point. I guess knowing there was a Canadian embassy for me, I felt a bit more secure.

Although, it's not like the Morality Police are all seeing. This isn't North Korea. The government knows very well about all the illegal alcohol trade and parties but it's not like they can go busting down every single door.

>>74671

Good luck with that.
>> Anonymous
>>74673
Thanks. Now, post moar pics of hot Iranian women!
>> Anonymous
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>>74675
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>>74685
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Here's the old queen, 1960's I think.
>> Anonymous
>>74637

lol if she cries rape SHELL get hanged.
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>>74693

Sad but true in some cases.
>> Anonymous
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>>74694

Why not just go to /s/ ?
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>>74694
>> Anonymous
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Oh and OP, these are the Basij, translation, The Mobilized Oppression.

If you see them, do not do anything stupid as they're the most hardcore motherfuckers out there.
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Another Basij picture... these guys were used as human waves for land mines during the Iran-Iraq war.
>> Anonymous
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And let's end it here...
>> Anonymous
>>74707
>>74699

OP Here.

I heard these guys own the U.S. Den of Espionage.

The U.S. State Department probably had these guys in mind when they warned Americans about strong Anti-U.S. sentiment, but anecdotal accounts say that even the most hard lined Iranian can tell the difference between the government of a country and a citizen of that country.

Despite that, I wouldn't doubt that the Basajj would be an exception. I've heard stories of their fanaticism. Apparently, the government promised them various splendors of heaven if they were martyred for the government's cause. They give them plastic keys painted gold that's supposed to be keys to heaven.

I really hate to find out what would happen should they suspect or find out that I'm an American, which is why I'm considering shaving my head and growing out a beard before I go.
>> Anonymous
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>>74861

Oh don't worry, the Basij wont actually do anything to you as long as you aren't doing anything stupid.

They more or less just enforce the regime's cultural views, like making sure women are probably wearing their head coverings, and youths of the opposite sex aren't doing anything "unmoral" - none of which really applies to you.

And like you said, they can differentiate between citizens, so they wont bother you for simply being American. Besides, you could always say you're Canadian. Who doesn't like Canada?
>> Anonymous
>>74871
>>Besides, you could always say you're Canadian. Who doesn't like Canada?

Iran. And those bastard Danes.
>> Anonymous
>>74592

Cuba tourists are all mexican families who go there because its the only nice place in the caribbean not filled with American teenagers puking and fucking everywhere
>> angry american liverpool fan !3GqYIJ3Obs
moar women, please?
>> Anonymous
I'd imagine that the best part about fucking an Iranian woman is that you're not allowed to go on a date or even speak to her outside
>> Anonymous
>>74871
Any more fun facts about these guys?
>> Anonymous
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>>74875

Fuck the Danes! We all know who Greenland really belongs too.

>>74878

Sure

>>74880

Here's a good pod about them: http://current.com/items/76972552_iran_s_culture_cops>>74879
>> Anonymous
>>74876

There are other places in the Caribbean like that, but hahaha if you think I'm gonna post them here, forget it.

Also Cuba is overrun with asshole American "underground" tourists who worship Hemingway and listen to blues because it alleviates the white guilt. So no escape there.
>> Anonymous
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>>74886tourists who worship Hemingway and listen to blues

The Talented Mr. Ripley, amirite?
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>> Anonymous
>>74888

Never saw, but probably.
>> Anonymous
Iran is neat and all, but not really. I mean unless you see allure in having MOIS/IRGC agents following you around all day.