UK severs ties with Iranian banks
 

BBC News - UK severs ties with Iranian banks

Not sure if this will make a difference to UK travellers given you can't use bank cards anyway due to the existing sanctions. Though I did note one HU member recently went to Iran without any cash (!) and I believe they just managed to get some out of a Tehran bank so I guess that option might not be possible now.

It's probably just another prelude to an invasion anyway...doh

I would think this was pretty symbolic, given the existing sanctions as the OP says.

Must say it's interesting how the Russians have backed out of selling them the S-300 air defence missiles yet still oppose further sanctions (:offtopic:?)

:oops2:

Ho, ho, ho, the timing couldn't have been better for a UK passport holder to try and get a visa.
I applied for mine 4 days ago.....................

This will be a make or break difference for any traveller who runs out of cash. While cards can't be used in Iran it has been possible to have money transferred to one of the big banks, I think it was Bank Melli. I guess that means for Brits this is not an option any more, meaning there are no more options left!

There are some carpet/rug shops in the bazzar in Tabriz that have PDQ visa machines ( think the business is reg'd elsewhere or something?) and they will NOT sell you a carpet and give you your refund in Rials.

Cheers
Pete

Iranian visa
 

MMM just applying for my iranian visa not holding out! Mark

Well, i heard at the back end of last week that my application has been refused...........but only because my passport would have less than 6 months left on it by the time the visa was issued, so i've been told get a new passport and re-submit, so maybe it will be ok for any other UK travellers.

This update won't help matters either.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-15936213

say goodbye to visas for British passport holders for a while I think.

Pity any UK citizen who has to go to the Tehran UK Embassy for any consular assistance......

A UK news item today says that the Embassy staff are being evacuated. What was not clear is if that is for all staff or only those who are deemed non-essential.
Judging by the trashed state of the Embassy shown in the pictures it could be closed completely, for a while at least.

Indeed. And it's unlikely to get any better -

BBC News - UK to expel all Iranian diplomats over embassy attack

The gloomy prediction was correct. William Hague has now confirmed (in an updated version of the earlier link) that ALL UK diplomatic staff are being pulled from Iran.

BBC News - UK to expel all Iranian diplomats over embassy attack

Not really related to overlanding, but all points toward a worsening situation

BBC News - Manston airport stops refuelling Iran Air flights

And if you hadn't worked it out for yourself already, you can forget about getting an Iranian visa in the UK -
"Nearby at Iran's consulate a small number of visitors were allowed inside to collect visas and passports. But the staff did not accept any new applications"

BBC News - Iran diplomats to leave UK after Tehran embassy attack

yeah this has been making my head-scratch lately too (I have a year-ish till setting off). Feels like the press and the west are grooming for war for the last few months. I hope it never happens. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how visa applications go from this point onwards. Alternative route could be from the end of Tajikistan (38.150386,74.802518) somehow (cheaply? in to china doubt it...) getting a days transit visa (the road is only 200km) for China and entering Pakistan from KKH...

also keep us updated how this goes...