Passports Left Stranded in Embassies
WANA (Aug 12) – Following recent regional events and Israel’s 12-day assault on Iran, visa issuance at many foreign embassies has been suspended, leaving thousands of Iranian passports stuck inside diplomatic buildings. This situation—alongside the cancellation of over 250 international flights and the airlines’ and hotels’ combined debt of 60 billion tomans to travelers—has caused major confusion for people who must be in their destination countries by fixed dates.
According to Omid Mohammadalikhan, a member of the Iranian Association of Travel Agencies, the passports of some 3,000–4,000 visa applicants remain in the embassies of Germany, France, Switzerland, and Spain amid embassy closures. He estimated that between 40,000 and 50,000 people are currently stranded at various stages of the visa process. While some embassies have promised to reschedule appointments as soon as possible, consular operations in many countries have yet to return to normal.
At present, Switzerland’s embassy has halted the issuance of tourist visas, the French embassy is operating on a limited basis, the South African embassy remains closed, Brazil’s embassy has not yet reopened, and Japan’s embassy has announced it will resume operations in the coming days.
Iran Reopens Airports, Airspace Open 24/7 for Transit Flights
WANA (Jul 17) – Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization has announced the full resumption of airport operations across the country, returning to normal schedules following a comprehensive security and safety review. In an official statement, the organization’s public relations office said: All airports nationwide are now fully operational, offering regular flight services to passengers as […]
Financial Losses for Travel Agencies and Airline Debts
Meanwhile, Hormatollah Rafiei, head of the Association of Iranian Air Travel and Tourism Agencies, stated that with the onset of the conflict and the resulting flight cancellations, over 30,000 passengers were unable to travel, and airlines and accommodation providers collectively owe more than 60 billion tomans to travelers. “Travel agencies are merely ticket vendors,” he said. “Without refunds from airlines and hotels, they cannot reimburse customers.”
Rafiei noted that travel agencies suffered losses totaling 200 billion tomans due to canceled trips. “Some airlines claim they have refunded 80% of the amounts to the agencies,” he added, “but we have not received such funds.”
Tourists expressing their ideas about travelling to Iran/Photo By Behnam Yousefi/Social media/ WANA (West Asia News Agency)
53% Drop in Incoming Tourists
Elsewhere, Anoushirvan Mohseni Bandpei, Deputy Minister of Tourism at Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, said that visa issuance for European countries has been halted for now, with political relations being the primary cause. He reported that in July of this year, 330,000 foreign tourists entered Iran—a 53% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Bandpei attributed the decline to the 12-day conflict and negative “Iranophobia” campaigns, stressing that returning to normalcy requires time, trust-building, and comprehensive support for tourism facilities. He said the ministry is currently focusing on religious and cultural tourism, particularly targeting neighboring countries.
Regarding refunds for canceled trips, he explained: “Hotel booking costs are usually reimbursed through intermediaries, and the process of securing flight ticket refunds is ongoing through the Civil Aviation Organization and foreign airlines.”
Iran Ranks Among Top 20 Global Tourist Destinations in Early 2025
WANA (Jul 16) – Iran has climbed into the list of the world’s top 20 tourism destinations during the first quarter of 2025, according to Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpei, Deputy Minister of Tourism at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts. He made the announcement at a high-level meeting attended by senior government officials, private […]
