Iran · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Yazd scores 18/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: elevated risk — reconsider. No — Yazd is not safe for travelers due to severe official warnings and significant political unrest. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Iran · Assessed 29 July 2026
18
/ 100
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
01 · Official Guidance
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 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile specific data for Yazd is limited, general crime rates in Iran are moderate, but the current political climate increases overall risk.
Pickpocketing
ModerateCrowded tourist areas in Yazd could present a risk of pickpocketing, though specific incidents are not widely reported.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Very Negative
51/100
Official advisories and reports of arrests of foreigners during protests suggest a highly negative and potentially dangerous environment for tourists.
No — Yazd is not safe for travelers due to severe official warnings and significant political unrest.
Multiple governments strongly advise against all travel to Iran, including Yazd, citing serious safety concerns. Recent reports indicate protests, arrests of foreigners, and harsh government responses, making the environment volatile and unpredictable for visitors.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Yazd is not a safe destination for travelers. Official government advisories from the UK, Canada, and other nations strongly recommend avoiding all travel to Iran, a sentiment echoed by the composite safety index which flags the country as HIGH RISK. The primary concerns stem from significant political instability, unrest, and a harsh government response to dissent, which create a volatile environment for any visitor.
Recent reports highlight specific incidents in Yazd that underscore these risks. In March 2026, six individuals were arrested for using satellite internet, indicating strict controls on communication. Protests by healthcare workers have occurred, and more alarmingly, in February 2026, 139 foreigners were arrested in Yazd province in connection with nationwide protests. Furthermore, reports of torture and death sentences following detentions in Yazd's security facilities point to severe human rights concerns and a dangerous climate for those perceived as dissidents or involved in unrest.
While petty crime like pickpocketing may be a moderate concern in tourist areas, the overriding safety issues are political and systemic. The risk of being caught up in protests, facing arbitrary arrest, or encountering severe repercussions for perceived transgressions is high. Travelers should be aware of the potential for sudden demonstrations and avoid any large gatherings. Given the official advisories, travel insurance is likely to be invalidated, and the overall consumer sentiment indicates a very negative and potentially dangerous situation for tourists.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 5 Yazd districts for visitors, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Yazd safety map.
Industrial/OutskirtsavoidAreas outside the main tourist zones may have less oversight and higher risks.
Old City (Fahadan, Qadimi, etc.)cautionHistoric center, popular with tourists, but petty crime can occur; exercise vigilance, especially after dark.
Newer City Center (around Imam Khomeini Square)cautionMore modern, but still advise caution due to potential for petty crime and general unrest.
University AreascautionCan be areas of protest; be aware of your surroundings and avoid demonstrations.
Desert SurroundingscautionWhile scenic, travel here requires preparation for extreme heat and potential isolation; ensure reliable transport.
07 · After Dark
While specific data for Yazd is limited, general crime rates in Iran are moderate, but the current political climate increases overall risk.
After dark, be most careful around Industrial/Outskirts, Old City (Fahadan, Qadimi, etc.), Newer City Center (around Imam Khomeini Square), University Areas. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Yazd's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
No — Yazd is not safe for travelers due to severe official warnings and significant political unrest. Multiple governments strongly advise against all travel to Iran, including Yazd, citing serious safety concerns. Recent reports indicate protests, arrests of foreigners, and harsh government responses, making the environment volatile and unpredictable for visitors. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Field research flags Industrial/Outskirts as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Yazd ranks #1 of 6 Iran destinations we've assessed, scoring 18/100. See the Iran safety overview for the full list.
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.
Browse the Iran safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: yazd.json (CC BY 4.0).