Iran Crime Rate & Safety
Homicide statistics, crime trends, and travel safety for Iran
Iran recorded 2.4 intentional homicides per 100,000 people in 2014, a rate that is low by global standards. That places Iran #105 of 195 countries by homicide rate, compared with the Asia average of 2.0 per 100,000 and a world average of 5.2. Homicide rates have fallen 18% over the past decade (from 2.9 in 2009). For travelers, the US State Department currently rates Iran at Level 4 of 4: Do Not Travel.
Homicide Rate
2.4 /100k
Safety Rank
#91 of 195
Travel Advisory
Level 4 of 4
Data Year
2014
Homicide Rate Trend (2009-2014)
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people. Homicide rates have fallen 18% over the past decade (from 2.9 in 2009). Source: UNODC via World Bank.
How Iran Compares
Intentional homicides per 100,000 people, latest available year per country.
Who Is Affected
In Iran, the homicide rate for men is 7.4× higher than the rate for women — 4.1 vs 0.6 per 100,000 (2014).
Homicide victims per 100,000 of each sex. Source: UNODC via World Bank.
Armed Conflict Context
Iran has recorded battle-related deaths in recent years. Conflict deaths are counted separately from homicides — a country can have a moderate crime rate but significant conflict risk, and travel advisories weigh both.
Battle-Related Deaths
123(2024)
Military Spending
2.0% GDP(2024)
Safety for Travelers
Summary of the current US State Department advisory for Iran:
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Do Not Travel to Iran due to the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest of U.S. citizens, and wrongful detention . Read the entire Travel Advisory. Advisory summary Do not travel to Iran for any reason. U.S. citizens in Iran should leave immediately. There is no U.S. Embassy in Iran. Review our information on Travel to High-Risk Areas . U.S. citizens in Iran face serious dangers including terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, arbitrary arrest, and wrongful detention . Some U.S.
Level 1
Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2
Exercise Increased Caution
Level 3
Reconsider Travel
Level 4
Do Not Travel
Safety Guidance for Iran
Practical safety information for visitors, from US State Department country information (last updated December 11, 2025).
Terrorism
In Iran, there is potential for death or injury because of terrorist attacks. Violent extremist groups, including U.S. government-designated terrorist organizations, operate in Iran. ISIS and affiliated groups have claimed responsibility for bombings and other attacks in Iran. The threat of terrorist activity persists, as does the risk of death or injury to bystanders. Additionally, Iran is a designated state-sponsor of terrorism. For more information, see our Terrorism page.
Crime
Foreigners occasionally become victims of petty street crime, including robberies and bag-snatchings, in Iran. There have been reports of robberies by police impersonators, usually in civilian clothing. Insist on seeing the officer’s identity card and request the presence of a uniformed officer/marked patrol car. Travelers should take the following precautions: Do not surrender any documents or cash; Make a copy of your U.S.
Demonstrations
occur sporadically. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events. Past demonstrations have turned violent. As demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Check local media for updates and traffic advisories. Iranian security personnel may at times place foreign visitors under surveillance. Hotel rooms, telephones, computers, fax machines, and other electronics may be monitored, and personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched. The Iranian authorities may also confiscate cell phones, computers, and other devices. U.S. citizens should consider not taking electronic devices to Iran or deleting personal information from them beforehand.
Disaster Preparedness
Iran is prone to earthquakes, many of them severe. To learn more about the seismic regions of Iran, including the most recent earthquakes, please visit the U.S. Geological Survey website .
International Financial Scams
See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information.
Victims of Crime
Report crimes to the local police by dialing 110 and contact the Embassy of Switzerland’s Foreign Interests Section at (98) (21) 2254-2178. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Iran is: 115 for ambulance service, 125 for fire, and 110 for police. English speakers, however, are generally unavailable. See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .
Domestic Violence
U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy of Switzerland’s Foreign Interests Section for assistance. U.S. citizens should note that the Foreign Interests Section may be able to provide limited assistance only and that Iranian law does not prohibit domestic violence.
Tourism
The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not commonly occur. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .
About This Data
Homicide figures are intentional homicides per 100,000 people, compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and published by the World Bank (indicator VC.IHR.PSRC.P5). Homicide is the most reliably comparable crime statistic across countries because definitions of other offences (assault, theft, robbery) vary widely between national legal systems and reporting practices.
Travel advisory levels are issued by the US Department of State and updated continuously. They reflect risks to travelers including crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters — not only crime rates. Countries report crime data with different lags; the most recent available year is shown for each metric.
Iran Population & Demographics
Population of 91,567,738, growth trends, economy, and more.
Crime & Safety in Neighboring Countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Iran safe to visit?
The US State Department rates Iran at Level 4 of 4 (Do Not Travel). The homicide rate of 2.4 per 100,000 is low by global standards.
What is the crime rate in Iran?
Iran has an intentional homicide rate of 2.4 per 100,000 people (2014, World Bank/UNODC), ranking #105 of 195 countries.
What is the US travel advisory level for Iran?
Iran is currently at Level 4: Do Not Travel. Advisory levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel).
How does crime in Iran compare to other countries?
Iran's homicide rate of 2.4 per 100,000 is below the world average of 5.2 and above the Asia average of 2.0.