More than two years ago, I left my motherland France to visit Iran for the first time. Today, in January 2020, I’m writing to you from Tehran, where I live, to answer a question I thought belongs to the past: “Is Iran safe?”
These are not easy lines to write. At the start of 2020, Iran is in grief, crying the loss of hundreds of people, mostly Iranians, in the crash of the Ukraine International flight. We are all, whatever our nationality, impacted in our lives by the tragedies Iran has lived for the past year: from economic crisis to the fear of conflict between the US and Iran.
Read more: Heartbroken; Ukraine Airline Crash in Iran
So it’s no surprise if, from my relatives in France to other travelers contacting me here, at 1stQuest, or on social medias, these questions are on all lips: Ain’t you scared to live in Iran? And is Iran dangerous?
Iran remains the safest country I visited
The answer is really simple: never a single moment, whether it was during protests or any other events, have I felt unsafe here. I traveled to 20 countries, in Europe, Asia, and America. Wherever I’ve been, including my own country, I never felt as safe as I do in Iran. It was true two years ago; nothing has changed today.
The reasons are also simple: first of all, the situation is far from being as terrifying as described by international media. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not denying anything that happened. But Iran is not going to follow the sad destiny of some of his neighbors. Iran has been the most stable and the safest country in the region for decades, whose geopolitical situation has nothing to do with Syria or Iraq. The tensions with US have reached a disturbing level, but eventually, things are going back to normal.
Learn more about Iran and the US conflicts.
There were protests also, that’s true. There may be others, nobody can predict. Nor can we foresee the consequences. In Paris, I was living a few meters away from the Bataclan, on November 13, 2015. Nobody had predicted 130 people would die there that night. Terrible things happen when men lose their humanity. This can happen anywhere.

Photo by: Daisy Lorenzi
Judge a country by your own eyes
Did the shootings in Paris make it a no-go zone? Of course, not. It’s still the first tourist destination in the world. Do the protests in Iran and the political tensions must condemn a whole country as such? I believe not.
During these events, my family and friends were naturally worried. But the truth is, whatever is going on, life in Tehran had remained safe for me. As it was for most of its 8 million inhabitants, and other visitors in Iran during these times, which like me, didn’t take part in the protests.
Read more: Iran after the Public Protests; Safety Concerns for the Travelers
I know that meanwhile, my embassy, and many other European embassies, has recommended travelers to avoid visiting Iran. I understand the logic behind the prudence of diplomacy, yet I’m glad I never followed their advice!
Two years ago already, if I listened to them, I should have been “cautious” in Iran, and I shouldn’t have visited the Unesco site of the Kaluts desert, nor the stunningly beautiful coast of Baluchistan. Both were already in red on their map, considered as dangerous.
I still try to understand how the Kaluts desert could be a threat for a visitor? Maybe if he/she got lost under the sun, for sure… And in Baluchistan? Well, maybe you’ve heard about the hospitality of Iranians. Believe me, you know nothing about kindness and hospitality until you meet people in Sistan and Baluchistan.

Photo by: Daisy Lorenzi
Foreigners will always be welcomed in Iran
During my trips or simply during my daily life, I cannot count the number of times someone helped me: by accompanying me in front of my host’s place when arriving in a new town; by offering me their house and dinner while I was just planning to camp in a tent; by dropping me here and there, without evening me asking for it. Or recently, in the middle of this crisis, by contacting me on social media to give me back the wallet I lost in the street! Something which sounds like an urban legend to my European ears but is simply normal in Iran.
Because there is one thing which Iranians have understood way before the other: people are not their government. I know that some travelers are worried about how Iranians could behave, in the current context, toward a foreigner. Well, wherever you come from, there is only one answer: they will be extremely happy that you decided to visit their country. Happy to show you that it’s safe and to help you having the best experience.
I sincerely believe that traveling to Iran in 2020, not only remains totally safe. But also, that it is the best proof of solidarity and humanity anyone can show to Iranians, and to the rest of the world. To tell them that they are not alone and that we won’t let them down! Their answer, I know, will just make you fall in love with Iran as well.
I love this post about Iran. I have a British and American passport and am a US resident where I will soon return after two years in France where I was born. I would like to know if there’s a remote chance I can get a visa to travel in Iran? Thank you for this wonderful blog.
I was a tour guide but mostly now I just like to travel and see places whose culture and art I love and admore.
Thanks a lot for your comments, I would be happy if you could travel to Iran as well! Is there a slight chance you could request a French Passport by being born in France? Because UK and US citizens cannot travel independently to Iran, so it’s a bit more complicated. Yet, it’s totally possible, and we can help you with the visa and the guide. If you want more details, I’d be happy to help. You can write to me at [email protected]
Thank you so much for this wonderful testimonial. I am an irishman planning to travel in Iran at the end of February, and confess I have had security concerns. I am travelling from Pakistan through Iran, then Turkey. Have you travelled from Pakistan? I see you mention Balochistan. What is the best way to travel in Iran in your opinion? Bus? Train? Any advice you have would be most welcome. Very best, Liam
Aw, thanks a lot Liam 🙂 Don’t worry, your trip to Iran next month is gonna be perfectly fine!
I didn’t travel to Pakistan yet (I would love to!) so I can’t help on this. What I can tell you is that you cannot have visa on arrival for Iran if you enter by land. So, you need to collect the visa in an embassy first. You’ll be escorted to the border on the Pakistani side, but I’ve heard that it’s totally fine.
As for how to travel Iran, it’s really up to you. Being with a guide is awesome because not only you have a private car, but you also have access to insights you would never have otherwise. Otherwise, VIP buses are super comfortable, convenient and cheap, so I prefer it to the train 😉
Thank you, Daisy, for this post ! I (we) can’t wait ’till end of March !