Iran is controlling the headlines this week after the US bombed three nuclear facilities across the country.
But Drew Binsky, a YouTuber who visited the Middle Eastern state before his recent escalation with Israel, says he saw an aspect of Iran that Western media never shows.
He says everywhere he went on a road trip from Shiraz, the cosmopolitan city, just above Kurdish-controlled territory in northern Iran, where Drew met a smile and a generous welcome.
Before the last Shah of Iran abdicated, in 1979, Iran was a surprisingly westernized country, with the capital Tehran being regularly compared to Paris. However, after Ayatollah Khomeini seized power, Drew says, “Many people think that visiting Iran is a scary place.”
However, travelers who have visited all 197 countries around the world have described Iran as one of his “favorite” destinations, and believe the country has an unjustly bad reputation.
“In my experience, the media overlooks the warmth of the Persian people,” he said. “Iranians are really friendly and kind. Wherever we go, people can see you approaching you. They talk to you. They want to know your ideas about Iran.
Most locals chatted that they had never met any Americans before. One Iranian woman promised that if Americans come to Tehran for their holidays they could be sure they would be warm welcome.
“Iran is safe,” she said. “Don't fool the news. If you're traveling to Iran, it's very economical, very safe, people are very welcoming and kind to you.
Iran definitely has its dark side. According to the BBC, Iran has executed more executions than any other country except China, and homosexuality is prohibited. Iran's censorship is considered to be some of the most extremes in the world.
The Foreign Office itself advises all trips to the country, claiming that British citizens are at a great risk of “arrest, interrogation or detention.” The entire country is in the “red zone,” and the government warns British citizens already within the country to “consider the risks you take from your presence and staying.”
Nevertheless, Drew is a huge fan of the country and is an epic sight.
A local local who welcomed Drew for a traditional Iranian meal said that most Iranians realized there was no real reason why Iranians and Americans fear each other. He said, “All issues lie between the governments.”
Another Iranian man Drew interviewed reflected his words. He said: “People are people everywhere… the problem is between our government.”
One told Drew that he could be the only American in Iran, but the country's tourism industry has been experiencing a surprising boom in recent years.
In 2019, the country was listed as the world's third fastest growing tourist destination, with Iran's tourism growing 43% in 2023, attracting around 6 million foreign tourists.
