The State Department issued an updated travel warning on Monday for Americans, especially Iranian-Americans, on the risks of travel to Iran, even after the U.S. signed a nuclear deal and made a $400 million cash payment to the country that was contingent on the release of four American prisoners.
(FOX)- The travel warning replaces what was in effect since March 14, which reiterates the risk of arrest and detention of U.S. citizens, especially those with dual Iranian-American citizenship. Iran does not recognize dual nationalities.
The warning says that Iranian authorities continue to “detain and imprison U.S. citizens, particularly Iranian-Americans, including students, journalists, business travelers, and academics, on charges including espionage and posing a threat to national security.”
“Iranian authorities have also prevented the departure, in some cases for months, of a number of Iranian-American citizens who traveled to Iran for personal or professional reasons,” the warning continues. “U.S. citizens traveling to Iran should very carefully weigh the risks of travel and consider postponing their travel.
Since the U.S. government does not have any diplomatic or consular relations with Iran, the U.S. has “extremely limited” abilities to help any Americans in the country in case of an emergency. Currently the Swiss government, acting through its embassy in Tehran, represents U.S. interests in Iran.
Last month, Iran’s judiciary confirmed the detention of an Iranian-American who was visiting family in Iran, the country’s semi-official ISNA news agency reported.