Iran

Recommended Vaccinations For Iran

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

A dose of Measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is recommended for all travellers over 6 months of age.

Polio Vaccine

**There is no risk of polio in this country. However, proof of polio vaccination between 4 weeks and 12 months prior to arrival in Iran is required for travellers of all ages coming from a polio-endemic country (Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan), including transit/layovers. If such a certificate cannot be presented, travellers will receive a dose of polio vaccine at port of entry.**

Yellow Fever Vaccine

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers 9 months of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Recommended Medications For Iran

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine if visiting the affected provinces. The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends chloroquine plus proguanil. The World Health Organization does not recommend anti-malaria medication.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Iran

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Iran.

Dengue Fever

Although the risk for dengue fever is not well-defined in Iran, outbreaks may occur.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Iran.

Cholera

Cholera does occur in this country.

For Some Travellers

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Sporadic outbreaks of Rift Valley Fever (RVF) may occur in this country.

Measles

There is a risk of Measles in this country, especially in infants aged 6 to 11 months.

Malaria

There is a risk of malaria March through November in rural areas of Fars Province, Sistan-Baluchestan Province, an southern tropical areas of Hormozgan and Kerman Provinces.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever has occurred in this country.

MERS

There is a risk of acquiring MERS-CoV in this country. Scientists do not fully understand how the MERS virus spreads. It is presumed to be a viral infection transmitted through direct or indirect contact with infected camels or camel-related products. Limited person-to-person transmission through coughing and sneezing from infected persons, typically in healthcare settings, has also been reported. There is currently no vaccine to prevent MERS.

Tuberculosis

Travellers to Iran are at risk for tuberculosis, if visiting ill friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with infected persons.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring Hantavirus in this country through the consumption of food and water contaminated by an infected rodent or through rodent bites.

West Nile Fever

There is a risk of acquiring West Nile virus in this country.

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in this country through sand fly bites, particularly between dusk to dawn. Adventure tourists, outdoor athletes, or humanitarian aid workers are at a higher risk.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of acquiring Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever in this country through specific insect, bug or tick bites or by coming in close contact with a person or animal infected with this disease. Travellers involved in activities like hiking, camping, working with animals, and visiting farms and forested areas are at a higher risk. There are no vaccinations (or medications) to prevent Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever.

Polio

There is no risk of polio in this country. However, proof of polio vaccination may be necessary for some travellers.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Iran, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in this country and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Yellow Fever

There is no risk of yellow fever transmission in Iran. However, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travellers 9 months of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in this country. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Iran

Personal Safety

Crime rates in Iran show a mixed pattern. Violent crime rates remain relatively low compared to many countries, but property crime has increased noticeably in recent years. Robbery rates climbed from 717 cases per 100,000 in 2012 to 1,100 in 2023, while murder rates rose from 2.5 to over 3 per 100,000 during the same period. Petty crime including pickpocketing, purse snatching, and bag snatching from motorcycles has increased in major cities, particularly Tehran. Thieves in vehicles and on motorbikes sometimes target pedestrians. International cards do not work in Iran due to sanctions, so you must carry all cash or arrange a local debit card in advance. Risk of kidnapping exists, particularly for those with connections to Western governments. Certain nationalities, especially dual nationals with ties to the UK, US, or Canada, face risk of arbitrary detention. Iranian authorities have detained individuals without warning on charges including espionage and national security violations, sometimes holding detainees for years. Photography near military installations or government buildings can lead to arrest on espionage charges. Carrying identification documents at all times is mandatory. Border areas near Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of the Iraq border present serious security risks including banditry and smuggling activity.

Extreme Violence

Violent extremist groups, including the Islamic State, have claimed responsibility for bombings and attacks in Iran. The risk of terrorism to bystanders remains, though attacks specifically targeting tourists are rare. Iranian intelligence services have been accused by multiple Western governments of carrying out assassination attempts, kidnappings, and surveillance operations against perceived regime opponents, primarily dissidents and specific individuals rather than tourists. Border regions along Afghanistan and Pakistan, and portions of the Iraq frontier, face heightened security risks from armed groups and smuggling networks. Femicide cases in Iran increased by nearly 60 percent from the first half of 2023 (55 cases) to the first half of 2024 (93 cases). Iran continues to impose the death penalty extensively, with reports of at least 266 executions during the first six months of 2024. Executions apply to a range of charges, including drug offences, national security crimes, and acts the government considers threats to the Islamic Republic. Security forces have used lethal force against protesters, killing hundreds during demonstrations.

Political Unrest

Large-scale protests erupted in September 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody of morality police. Protests continued into 2023 with at least 19,200 people detained and more than 500 killed by security forces. At least 551 protesters were killed during the 2022 demonstrations, the highest number in any protest since 1979. Security forces used live ammunition, causing hundreds of deaths. More than 700 executions took place in 2023, a substantial increase from 2022. Protests in 2023 totaled 3,617 events, with retirees, workers, and various professions staging demonstrations over economic hardships and unpaid wages. Small, local protests continue across Iran. Security forces respond to demonstrations with severe force, including arrests, beatings, and detention. Government crackdowns include internet shutdowns, surveillance, and intimidation of activists. Protests can occur with little notice and even peaceful gatherings can turn violent. Bystanders risk injury, arrest, or detention. Many detained protesters reported torture and abuse in custody. Children have been targeted during demonstrations. Economic protests by workers, retirees, and farmers occur frequently over wage issues, inflation, and living conditions.

Areas To Avoid

The province of Sistan and Baluchistan, particularly areas within 100 kilometers of the Afghanistan border, should be avoided. The southeastern region near the Pakistan border presents serious risks including kidnapping, banditry, and armed smuggling activity. Areas within 10 kilometers of the Iran-Iraq border are extremely dangerous, though the northern Kurdish border region sees regular crossings by travelers. Travel at night in border regions is particularly hazardous. Military and nuclear sites exist throughout the country but are not always clearly marked. Taking photographs near these sites or approaching them can result in arrest on espionage charges. The southeastern city borders and routes toward Pakistan experience criminal gang activity targeting foreigners. During periods of heightened political tension, particularly in Tehran, demonstration areas in city centers should be avoided. Protests can emerge suddenly in response to political developments or economic conditions. Baluchistan has experienced sectarian tensions, though the situation has improved somewhat in recent years. Rural areas may have less developed infrastructure and limited access to emergency services. Border crossings can close without notice.