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...

Your 1 day transit through China still requires guide, car and paperwork with 2 months lead time.

I'm the dude who went in with no money. We couldn't get anything out from any bank, even head office banks in Tehran so from my experience I don't see how this new article changes anything. In the end we did a long and complicated back-door deal with a hotel owner who had a friend in london and got charged nothing for the privilege.
Anyway, a guy following us just crossed and he reports no problems. While I was there there was all sorts of warmongering crap on the news and we saw nothing but friendly people. We went to the embassy and were warned they were on high alert and we should go to our hotel and stay there. Nothing happened, just nice and friendly people asking questions and being genuinely interested.
I reckon this is a storm in a teacup and as for invasion... From talking to the people there they want a revolution and I think it's a prelude to that. I guess we'll see.

thanks for the info all. I don't think being there and crossing Iran will be a problem. It's just getting the visas may be headache-y from last week onwards, with the country relations being downgraded and all that. Just wait and see I guess. In my case worst comes to worst is getting my pillion to fly from Turkey to Pakistan and me riding Iran (I have Turkish nationality, no visa required - thanks dad :D ) but really do want to see Iran and spend a bit of time there rather than rush it.

I have been back in touch with the company that i want to use to issue my visa, asking them what the official situation is regarding the issue of visas at the moment and the reply i had yesterday was this:

Dear John
These things has happened before also,it is all between governments not people ,I 'm sure you feel the same .So no ,there is no announcement that the authorities bans or will ban the British visitors to come to Iran .Just by our experience we think that this recet issues has not to do with the tourists as usual .Please just don't rely on media too much ;)
I will keep you posted.

Hopefully it will all blow over, but what with the Yanks apparently trying to push it all into some sort of conflict with UK and European support, i think that this situation might continue for some time. I don't think that visa applications to be collected in the UK will be any good as long as the Iranian Embassy is closed there, but it appears that at the moment, Iran is not stopping UK citizens applying and collecting elsewhere, i just hope that this is the case and it continues so.

If i hear any further info i will post it here.

J

Finally some good news !

I returned to the UK for the Christmas break, got my new passport issued on the 28th December, scanned and sent the copy to the tour company the next day and i was informed that the visa was granted today, with the issue letter e-mailed to me at the same time - 11 days from start to finish !

I still have to collect it from the Iranian embassy in Abu Dhabi, but i'm hoping that this will be a formality.......maybe.

J

Is it still impossible for British Nationals to get an Iranian visa?

Didn't the post right above yours already answer your question?

Do you mean is the Embassy still closed in the UK? yes. But it's never been impossible to get a visa mate. We thought it would be but it's fine, and I think you can collect it from other Iranian embassies on route.

See other post under route planing section... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ran-visa-60618

Can a moderator make an "Iran Visa all good" sticky or something...? At least until US decides to start another war...

The One is not trying to start a war!

I wouldn't be so sure my friend. With some of the military related work that's been going on in the Gulf region over the last year or so - ordered, advised and paid for by the US - it looks like preparation for something ......... and it's not a BBQ in the sun !

Hopefully i'll be clear of there before it gets too serious....if i can ever find the time to leave in the first place.

J

Unfortunately, if what they did to civilians in the last invasion of Iraq is anything to go by, for some it will undoubtedly be just that - and I don't mean the sort you turn up to with a 6-pack.

Iran visa update:

I went to the Iranian embassy in Abu Dhabi to collect it yesterday and had no problems at all. The young lady that dealt with me was very pleasant and helpful and i was finished there in under 30 mins, although i do have to actually collect the passport again after today sometime, whenever i can get back down to Abu Dhabi.

One word of warning, i had to show evidence of travel health insurance, so remember to take a copy of the policy documents that you have with you in case you are asked for it.

J