Why can't Iranian citizens leave the country easily if foreigners can visit Iran without restrictions?
It’s not like Iran is forcing its citizens to stay. The real issue is that other countries are limiting Iranian visitors. And who’s behind these restrictions? Mainstream media.
Legally, Iranians can travel almost anywhere—except the occupied parts of Palestine, according to Iranian law. So, if another country lets you in, you’re free to go. But in practice, many countries are influenced by the image of Iran painted by American media. And what does that image look like? Backward people, a dictatorship government, and terrorism everywhere. all of which are lies.
- Iranians Are Not Backward
- Iranians are smart, capable, and accomplished in fields like engineering, medicine, math, and philosophy. Just recently, Iranian students won all five gold medals at the 18th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) held in Mumbai.
And this isn’t new—historically, Iran was a global center of science and knowledge for centuries. Think Khwarizmi, Avicenna, and countless others who shaped the foundations of modern science.
- Iran Is Not a Dictatorship
- Iran holds elections almost every other year. People vote for their president (head of the executive branch), their parliament (legislative authority), and even the Assembly of Experts—who are responsible for overseeing the Supreme Leader and replacing him if needed. That’s right: the Supreme Leader doesn’t have a fixed term. If the Assembly finds someone more qualified, they’re supposed to make the switch immediately.
Just because Iran has a Supreme Leader doesn’t mean it’s a dictatorship. In fact, it’s way more democratic than some European countries still ruled by unelected monarchs in 21st century. Let that sink in.
- Iranians Are Not Terrorists
And why does Iran get linked to terrorism in the media? For two reasons:
- False associations: For example, Iran had nothing to do with 9/11, yet it’s constantly mentioned in that context.
- Unfair labeling: Iran supports resistance movements—Yemenis under Saudi bombardment, Lebanese citizens during occupation, Syrians and Iraqis fighting ISIS. These have never been terrorist acts; they were acts of solidarity against oppression—oppression that has the name of U.S. written all over it. And when you mess with the bull (the U.S.) you get the horn (attacks from American media). So, if Iranians face travel restrictions, it’s not their fault. It’s not their government’s fault either. It’s the result of biased media coverage and one-sided narratives pushed by powerful voices.