Do Not Travel
“Do not travelto Iran due to the risk of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens, and wrongful detention.”
Updated Fri, 05 Dec 2025
Full advisory →Is Tehran safe? 🇮🇷
Iran · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Tehran scores 18/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — Iran is not safe for travelers; the official advisory is Level 4 “Do Not Travel” and the composite safety index is 18/100 (HIGH RISK). The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Tehran 🇮🇷
Iran · Assessed 29 July 2026
18
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~6% of countries
Score capped at 18 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime63/100FairCrime index 50.7 / 100
Sentiment49/100CautionMostly negative
Advisories0Elevated
Stability49Caution
Health65Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). FCDO advises against all travel to Iran FCDO advises against all travel to Iran.”
Updated 2026-07-22T18:36:21Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Iran: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-07-23T10:30:37.2713302-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Homicide rate
2.4 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Iran2.4World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
83
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas after dark; stay in well‑lit, busy districts and avoid walking alone at night
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is most frequent in crowded bazaars, metro stations, and tourist hotspots such as the Grand Bazaar; keep bags zipped and devices secured
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Caution
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
49/100
Reported feel15Mostly negative
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports and forum posts express high anxiety about sudden security spikes and limited consular support, indicating visitors generally feel unsafe despite occasional anecdotes of hospitality.
No — Iran is not safe for travelers; the official advisory is Level 4 “Do Not Travel” and the composite safety index is 18/100 (HIGH RISK).
The multi‑database safety profile rates Iran 18/100, reflecting a HIGH RISK environment driven by political instability, severe restrictions on consular assistance, and a Level 4 travel advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. Crime scores are moderate but pickpocketing and opportunistic theft are documented in crowded areas, while the dominant risk is geopolitical instability and the possibility of arbitrary detention.
Recent developments
- Jul 2026U.S. Virtual Embassy issues security alert urging Americans to leave Iran amid heightened tensions and risk of arbitrary detention— travel.gc.ca
- Jul 2026Iran summons French ambassador over alleged interference; diplomatic tensions rise, increasing risk of arbitrary arrests of foreigners— caspiannews.com
- Jul 2026Iran executes man convicted of January protests; signals intensified crackdown and potential for sudden arrests of dissent‑linked visitors— reuters.com
- Jun 2026U.S. sends additional marines to the Middle East after Iran threatens tourism sites worldwide; heightened military posturing raises regional instability— cbc.ca
Common scams
- Fake tour‑guide scams targeting tourists at major sites
- Currency‑exchange rip‑offs offering unfavorable rates
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Iran is rated HIGH RISK (composite index 18/100) and carries a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. The primary dangers are not ordinary street crime but the volatile political climate: arbitrary detention, sudden escalation of armed conflict, and the near‑absence of consular assistance. While homicide and terrorism death rates are low, the lack of reliable rule‑of‑law institutions and the high scores for conflict, governance, and institutional risk mean the environment can shift unpredictably.
Recent dossier items underscore this instability. In July 2026 the U.S. Virtual Embassy issued a security alert urging Americans to leave Iran amid heightened tensions and the threat of arbitrary detention (travel.gc.ca). Shortly after, Iran summoned the French ambassador over alleged interference, raising diplomatic friction that can translate into heightened scrutiny of foreign visitors (caspiannews.com). Also in July, a man was executed for participation in January protests, signalling an intensified crackdown that could affect foreigners perceived as politically sensitive (reuters.com). These events, coupled with U.S. military posturing in the region, create a climate where travel can become unsafe without warning.
For visitors, the most relevant on‑ground risks are moderate levels of robbery and pickpocketing, concentrated in crowded venues such as the Grand Bazaar, metro stations, and other tourist hotspots. Keeping bags zipped, using reputable licensed taxis or ride‑hailing apps, and avoiding isolated streets after dark can mitigate opportunistic theft. However, the overarching security situation remains severe: protests can erupt spontaneously, and the possibility of sudden arrests or travel restrictions is real. Travelers should register with their embassy’s alert system, maintain secure digital copies of documents, limit cash on hand, and be prepared to depart quickly if advised. Above all, heed the official “Do Not Travel” guidance and reconsider any non‑essential trip to Tehran.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Tehran districts for visitors: 3 safer, 3 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Tehran safety map.
Darbandavoidmountainous outskirts regularly see clashes and road‑block checkpoints
South Tehran (around 15th Street)avoidhigh petty‑theft rates and frequent police raids on informal markets
Darakehcautionpopular hiking area with frequent protests and heavy police presence after dark
Valiasrcautionbusy commercial corridor, pickpocketing common in crowds, avoid large gatherings
Mirdamadcautionupscale business district, safe in daylight but heightened security checks after dark
Tajrishsaferwell‑patrolled religious district, low street crime, but occasional political demonstrations
Niavaransaferresidential area with good lighting and low reported incidents
Kuy-e Mazraehsaferquiet residential zone, minimal reported crime, but limited emergency services
07 · After Dark
Is Tehran safe at night?
Mugging and armed robbery are uncommon but can occur in isolated areas after dark; stay in well‑lit, busy districts and avoid walking alone at night
After dark, be most careful around Darband, South Tehran (around 15th Street), Darakeh, Valiasr. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Tehran's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight18
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight18
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight18
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight18
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight18
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight18
09 · Questions
Tehran safety FAQ
Is Tehran safe for tourists right now?
No — Iran is not safe for travelers; the official advisory is Level 4 “Do Not Travel” and the composite safety index is 18/100 (HIGH RISK). The multi‑database safety profile rates Iran 18/100, reflecting a HIGH RISK environment driven by political instability, severe restrictions on consular assistance, and a Level 4 travel advisory from the U.S., U.K., and Canada. Crime scores are moderate but pickpocketing and opportunistic theft are documented in crowded areas, while the dominant risk is geopolitical instability and the possibility of arbitrary detention. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Tehran should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Darband, South Tehran (around 15th Street) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Tehran?
- Fake tour‑guide scams targeting tourists at major sites
- Currency‑exchange rip‑offs offering unfavorable rates
How does Tehran compare with other places in Iran?
Tehran scores 18/100 — see the Iran safety overview for country-level data.
How is this Tehran safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Nearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the Iran safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: tehran.json (CC BY 4.0).