Here’s the truth: the Foreign Office advice exists to keep you safe, not to ruin your dreams. They’re not saying “Iran is a terrible place.” They’re saying “Iran is a complicated place, and right now, the dice are loaded against you.”
So maybe this year isn’t your Iran year. That’s okay. There are 190 other countries to explore. Iran will still be there, with its ancient ruins and its beautiful, spicy stews, waiting for a calmer day.
And when that day comes, you’ll go. You’ll walk through the bazaars of Isfahan, you’ll marvel at the ruins of Persepolis, and you’ll be welcomed by people who will call you “friend” from the moment you arrive. That is the real Iran. It’s just tucked behind a very, very serious travel advisory for now.
So keep that dream safe in your back pocket. And for now? Maybe just binge-watch “The Little Black Fish” and practice your Persian vocabulary from the comfort of your own couch. Māmnoon (thank you) for reading—and for being smart about it.
