Iran has overhauled its visa rules starting this month, requiring foreign tourists to enter only through organized tours booked with registered agencies, the Travel and Tour World website reported Saturday.
“A review of the documents on these individuals' activities shows that they defied (mandatory) hijab laws, incited students to leave classes, and even procured solar panels and supplies for armed (opposition) elements,” Fars News Agency wrote.
The acknowledgment followed days of concern from unions and civil society groups, which said teachers were being targeted under broad security pretexts.
“According to the confessions of these teachers and the documents available, they not only played a role in the 2022 unrest but were also in contact with the PJAK militant group and provided them with food and equipment,” Fars reported citing an informed source.
PJAK, a PKK-affiliated group designated as a terrorist organization by Iran, Turkey, and the United States, seeks self-determination for Iran's Kurdish minority.
“These individuals, by abusing their job positions, have tried to create unrest and disrupt the educational process by closing schools, threatening other teachers, and organizing illegal sit-ins," the Fars report said.
However, a former teacher in Iran's Kordestan province says the crackdown targets teachers for their civil activism and their defense of students and their rights.
"At least six teachers have been fired, two suspended, several forced into early retirement, and one sent into exile — all because they refused to 'repent' for their civil activities and for standing firm in defending their students," Shahed Alavi told Iran International.
"This is the outcome of their resilience and defiance," he added.
Teachers’ unions denounce expulsions
Three professional associations of teachers in Kordestan and Kermanshah issued statements condemning the expulsions and disciplinary measures on Friday. They warned that the policies amounted to organized repression and would deepen the educational crisis while threatening the future of students.
The Kordestan Teachers’ Union described the dismissals as “unjust and vindictive,” calling them proof of the state’s “repressive policies.”
It further warned of consequences for the authorities, arguing that the expulsions represented the beginning of a new phase of resistance.
“Teachers in the province had long been subjected to pressure and discrimination, which intensified after the nationwide protests of 2022,” read the statement.
The 2022 protests in Iran, also known as the Woman Life Freedom Movement, erupted in September after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa "Jina" Amini in the custody of Iran’s morality police.
Her death sparked widespread outrage, with demonstrations quickly spreading across dozens of cities. Protesters—many of them women and young people—called for greater freedoms, the abolition of mandatory hijab laws, and broader political reforms.
The movement soon evolved into one of the largest waves of dissent in Iran in decades, with workers’ strikes, university demonstrations, and global solidarity rallies amplifying the calls for change.
The government responded with a harsh crackdown, including mass arrests, internet shutdowns, and deadly force against demonstrators, drawing international condemnation.
"This change effectively bans independent travel, requiring tourists to submit additional documentation, including a detailed resume, tour operator contract, and confirmed hotel bookings," the online magazine said.
Under the new rules cited by the outlet, tourists are also required to travel with licensed guides for their entire stay. Payments are only made once the visa is approved, and applications take two to three weeks to process.
Iran’s foreign and tourism ministries have not confirmed the report or announced any changes to the country’s visa regulations.
Though framed as a means to ensure structured and secure tourism, these newly reported regulations are being introduced just a couple of months after Iran arrested thousands including foreign visitors following the 12-day conflict with Israel in June.
The Islamic Republic has a longstanding record of detaining visiting academics, dual nationals, and other foreigners—often accused of espionage in cases widely perceived abroad as political leverage or hostage diplomacy.
In June, a European national was arrested in northwestern Iran for allegedly attempting to spy on sensitive areas. In another case, two foreign nationals were detained in Karaj, west of Tehran, for allegedly working as Mossad agents.
The rising number of detentions triggered concern across Europe and the United States. A US State Department cable cited unconfirmed reports of Americans being detained and noted that many US nationals faced delays and harassment while trying to leave Iran.
“This measure is intended to give authorities a deeper understanding of the applicant’s background and to evaluate any potential security risks,” the report by the Travel and Tour World website said.
According to the report, Iranian authorities now require applicants to provide a signed contract with an officially registered tour operator. This contract must include a detailed itinerary specifying travel dates, routes, and destinations, as well as confirmed hotel reservations arranged directly through the tour agency.
Independent accommodation—such as staying with private individuals or using platforms like Couchsurfing—will also be strictly prohibited, the report said.
If true, the new visa regulations would make it more difficult for foreign travelers to visit Iran on their own.
The country, historically known for its rich cultural and historical heritage as well as its natural beauty, has struggled to attract foreign tourists in recent years. Despite its allure, the country faced challenges such as strict dress codes for women and restrictions on alcohol and nightlife.
