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
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Is Yazd safe? 🇮🇷
Iran · Safety report last updated
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Yazd 🇮🇷
Iran · Assessed 19 October 2026
20
/ 100
Elevated risk — reconsider
Safer than ~7% of countries
Score capped at 20 — Level 4 advisory — "Do Not Travel". No other indicator can raise the score above this.
What drives this score
Crime62/100FairCrime index 50.7 / 100
Sentiment59/100FairMixed reports
Advisories0Elevated
Stability48Caution
Health70Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Elevated
Advises against all travel
“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 2026-10-07T13:26:00Z
Full advisory →Avoid all travel
“Canada's official risk level for Iran: avoid all travel.”
Updated 2026-10-13T14:25:08.5957419-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Urban scale factor
478k residents
76
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
2.4 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6Iran2.4World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
83
Robbery / mugging
ModerateOpportunistic theft and mugging possible in crowded bazaars and on public transport, though not widespread
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching occur in tourist areas, markets, and buses, particularly during peak hours
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed reports
59/100
Reported feel45Mixed reports
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Some travelers report feeling secure in Yazd's historic districts, but recent detentions of foreigners and protest crackdowns have heightened anxiety among visitors
No. Yazd is not safe for travel due to the nationwide Level 4 advisory and documented risks of arbitrary arrest and unrest.
Despite Yazd's relatively low crime profile, the U.S., UK, and Canadian governments advise against all travel to Iran due to terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and arbitrary arrest of foreigners. Recent reports confirm ongoing security crackdowns in Yazd, including arrests of foreign nationals and protest-related detentions, making the city unsafe for visitors.
Recent developments
- May 2026Iran sentences protest detainee to death after torture in Yazd security facility— Kurdistan Human Rights Network
- Feb 2026Iran police say 139 foreign nationals arrested over protests in Yazd— Iran International
- Apr 2026Protest by healthcare workers in Yazd entered a 2nd consecutive day— NCRI Women Committee
- Mar 2026Six Iranians arrested in Yazd for alleged use of Starlink satellite internet— Eurasia Review
Common scams
- Overcharging in bazaars and taxi fares
- Fake tour guides offering unauthorized access to restricted sites
Full briefing
Despite Yazd's historic charm and relatively low street crime, the city is currently unsafe for travelers due to nationwide Level 4 advisories from the U.S., UK, and Canadian governments citing risks of terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and arbitrary arrest. Recent dossiers confirm security crackdowns in Yazd, including the sentencing of a protest detainee to death after torture in a local security facility in May 2026 and the arrest of 139 foreign nationals over protests in February 2026. Healthcare workers also protested in Yazd for two consecutive days in April 2026, and six Iranians were arrested in March 2026 for alleged Starlink use, indicating ongoing surveillance and restrictions on communication.
While Yazd's homicide rate is low at 2.4 per 100k and petty crime like pickpocketing remains moderate in bazaars and on public transport, the primary danger for visitors stems from arbitrary detention and espionage charges, particularly for dual nationals or those perceived as engaging in sensitive activities. Photography near government or military sites is strictly prohibited and can lead to severe penalties. Travelers should avoid all travel to Yazd until advisories are lifted; if travel is unavoidable, maintaining a low profile, avoiding political discussions, and refraining from photographing government buildings are essential precautions. Travel insurance may be invalidated if visiting against official advice.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Yazd districts for visitors: 1 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Yazd safety map.
Chak Chak vicinityavoidDesert pilgrimage site 70km NE; recent protests and security crackdowns reported in May 2026, with detentions at local facilities.
Industrial Zone (Southwest)avoidIndustrial district; no tourist value and heightened security presence increases risk of detention or interrogation for foreigners.
Old City (Fahadan)cautionHistoric core with tourist sites; pickpocketing reported in bazaars and narrow lanes, especially after dark.
New City (Shahid Beheshti)cautionModern residential and commercial area; lower petty crime but remain alert for scams targeting foreigners.
ZiaratcautionSouthern district near shrines; moderate visitor traffic increases pickpocketing risk during daytime.
Airport vicinity (Shahid Sadooghi)cautionArea around Yazd Airport; monitor for arbitrary checks and avoid nighttime travel due to limited transport and surveillance.
KuhpayehsaferNorthern residential zone; fewer tourists, lower crime incidence, and no recent security incidents reported.
07 · After Dark
Is Yazd safe at night?
Opportunistic theft and mugging possible in crowded bazaars and on public transport, though not widespread
After dark, be most careful around Chak Chak vicinity, Industrial Zone (Southwest), Old City (Fahadan), New City (Shahid Beheshti). Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Yazd safety FAQ (2026)
Is Yazd safe right now (2026)?
No. Yazd is not safe for travel due to the nationwide Level 4 advisory and documented risks of arbitrary arrest and unrest. Despite Yazd's relatively low crime profile, the U.S., UK, and Canadian governments advise against all travel to Iran due to terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and arbitrary arrest of foreigners. Recent reports confirm ongoing security crackdowns in Yazd, including arrests of foreign nationals and protest-related detentions, making the city unsafe for visitors. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Yazd safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Yazd report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Yazd should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Chak Chak vicinity, Industrial Zone (Southwest) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Yazd (2026)?
- Overcharging in bazaars and taxi fares
- Fake tour guides offering unauthorized access to restricted sites
How does Yazd compare with other places in Iran (2026)?
Yazd ranks #1 of 9 Iran destinations we've assessed, scoring 20/100. See the Iran safety overview for the full list.
How is this yazd safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: yazd.json (CC BY 4.0).