Iran Risk Assessment Guide
Home to approximately 80 million people, Iran is a country with a rich history. It is home to one of the world’s oldest civilized groups: the Persians. Iran was officially known as Persia until 1935. Over the last several decades, Iran has been a major country involved in world politics, most of the time in conflict with Western countries like the United States and the United Kingdom.
Iran’s tourist industry is growing at an impressive rate, the number of tourists reaching 4.5 million between March of 2013 and March of 2014, a dramatic increase from the previous year. This growth has been attributed to a combination of the election of pro-tourism Hassan Rouhani and relaxed visa policies. Iranian tourism officials hope to improve and expand accommodations to quadruple the number of yearly tourists by 2025. Iran contains some of the world’s most spectacular ancient ruins and religious sites, including the expansive Imam Square in Isfahan and the Unesco World Heritage site of Persepolis.
The country is a regional power: influencing international energy security and the world economy through its large supply of fossil fuels. In the summer of 2015, the United States, Germany, Great Britain, China, Russia and France began to discuss a deal to reduce international economic sanctions on Iran, in exchange for Iran’s agreement to end its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Opponents of the deal believe that lifting sanctions will give Iran more money to fund terrorism all over the world.
Iran has also been in the news lately for its criticism of Saudi Arabia’s decision to execute a Shiite cleric, even after Iran made it clear that carrying out the death penalty against him would have repercussions. This rift growing between Saudi Arabia and Iran could not only threaten regional security, but also affect the wars in Syria and Yemen and could strengthen the Islamic State.
On top of the religious differences, the dropping price of oil has spurred a fight for economic superiority between the two nations. Changes in the region and within the country could have a large impact on Iran moving forward. Due to the recent nuclear deal with the United States and the upcoming presidential election, whatever happens in Iran is bound to affect the U.S.’ foreign policy decisions in the future.
Recent local politics have been accompanied by protests and riots with close attention being paid by other major world powers. In the past several years, Iran has begun developing its own nuclear power options. The UN Security Council passed a number of resolutions calling for Iran to suspend its uranium enrichment and reprocessing. In November 2013, the UN signed a joint plan with Iran to provide the country with incremental relief from international pressure for positive steps toward transparency of their nuclear program.
On August 22, 2016, the U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning regarding travel to Iran. Travelers face the risk of arrest and detention, especially those holding dual citizenship in western countries and Iran, continue to be targeted. In addition, authorities target journalists, students, business travelers, and academics and charges of espionage and posing threats to national security. Diplomatic contact between the Iranian government and western countries is limited and consular services may not be available.
- Health
- Safety & Security
- Terrorism
On November 19, 2015, the CDC issued a level 2 alert for those traveling to the Arabian Peninsula due to an outbreak of MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). MERS is a viral respiratory illness that causes fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The CDC encourages travelers to wash their hands consistently and avoid contact with other sick people in the area.
Healthcare in is reasonable in Iran’s major cities but quite poor in the other remote areas of the country. Sanitation facilities and drinking water quality have improved in recent years. Before traveling to Iran, be sure to receive all of your necessary vaccinations, especially Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Polio, and Yellow Fever. Rabies is also a risk while traveling to Iran. In 2008, Iranian authorities confirmed an outbreak of avian influenza (bird flu) as well as H1N1 influenza in 2009.
Clements Worldwide's GlobalCare® expatriate health plan allows you to receive affordable treatment outside your home country. Prescription drugs, maternity care, mental health treatment and other services are included. Policies provide USD 5 million in health care benefits, and you can choose from any number of available doctors. Another benefit with Clements' GlobalCare policy is that it includes emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, which covers expenses to transport you to a capable medical facility in case a local medical center isn’t able to provide adequate treatment.Optional War and Terrorism extensions are available, so any injury suffered from an act of war and terror is covered.
Call us today at +1.202.872.0060 or 800.872.0067 or email request@clements.com to discuss your organization’s travel needs tailored to considerations involved while operating in Iran.
Source: UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Clements Worldwide
While the June 2013 presidential elections passed peacefully, past elections were not. Demonstrations and protest are heavily policed by security forces. In 2014, thousands of protesters gathered in Isfahan to protest acid attacks on women who were thought to be dressed inappropriately by hardliners. In a similar protest in Tehran, police confiscated cameras belonging to photographers and activists.
Many of the anti-Western demonstrations can be triggered by international news stories. If possible, stay away from these protests as police and security forces are often deployed. After the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris, protests broke in Tehran with thousands of people chanting “Death to France.”
The waters and islands in proximity to Iran are highly sensitive politically and often militarized. In 205 and 2009, expatriates from Britain, France, and Germany were imprisoned for entering prohibited waters.
A common problem on the roadways for pedestrians involves men on motorbikes driving by to snatch bags and purses. You should always ask police officers to see official identification, and it is advisable to make an appointment with a taxi company rather than calling one in the streets.
Public transportation is available in major cities, including the Tehran metro, buses and minibuses, and taxis. These options may be preferable to driving, as Iran has one of the highest rates of road accidents and fatalities in the world. In 2012, Iranian officials reported that over 55 people per day die from car accidents. Traffic laws are neither followed nor enforced. When driving in Iran, use extreme caution. Most drivers do not yield to pedestrians, so also exercise caution when walking.
Clements offers Overseas Car Insurance, which includes Physical Damage, Third Party Liability, and Excess Liability coverage. With flexible deductible options and fast claims processing, your policy will provide coverage for your vehicle fleet whether it’s on the road, parked or transported abroad.
An optional Political Violence extension is also recommended, which broadens car insurance coverage to include strikes, riots, malicious damage, sabotage, war, terrorism or civil unrest.
Call us today at +1.202.872.0060 or 800.872.0067 or email request@clements.com to discuss your organization’s travel needs tailored to considerations involved while operating in Iran.
Source: UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Clements Worldwide
Terrorist attacks in Iran are a much greater threat than most countries. For several years, Iran has been accused of state-sponsored terrorism against Israel and other major countries. Car bombings and other explosions relating to protests and terrorism can be frequent in Iran.
On October 15, 2016 members of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan killed 8 members of the Iranian National Guard and wounded 8 other individuals. The attacks occurred in the northwestern region of Iran.
On August 16, 2016, suicide-bombing attacks were foiled. Four terrorists were killed and 6 others were arrested.
On August 11, 2016, a person was killed and 2 others were injured by an attack on police in Kurdistan by multiple assailants.
In 2008, at least 15 people were killed and many others injured by an explosion in Tehran. In a mosque in Shiraz that same year, 14 people were killed—including two women and two children—in a bombing that also injured over 200 other people. In 2011, the British Embassy in Iran was attacked and set on fire.
A War and Terrorism insurance policy from Clements offers the right coverage against the risks of civil unrest, war, riots, looting and acts of terrorism.
Call us today at +1.202.872.0060 or 800.872.0067 or email request@clements.com to discuss your organization’s travel needs tailored to considerations involved while operating in Iran.
Source: UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, U.S. State Dept, and Clements Worldwide