Iranians welcome reports of US plan for visa section

Middle East Features

Jun 25, 2008, 13:51 GMT

Tehran - Many Iranians reacted with great joy to reports that the United States might open an interest section in Tehran with visa services after almost three decades. There have been reports and even official signals earlier this week that US officials might open a consular section in Tehran where visas would be also be issued for Iranians wanting to visit family members and relatives in the US. The US is diplomatically represented in Iran by the Swiss embassy but unlike the Iranian interest section at the Pakistani embassy in Washington, there is no visa section in Tehran. Millions of Iranians emigrated to the US following the 1979 Islamic revolution, their children were born there and most of them have in the meantime become US citizens. Iran and the US have had no diplomatic ties for almost three decades and political hostilities between the two states have especially affected the ordinary Iranians who have to go through a very tough and costly procedure to meet their family members in the US. 'I pray to God that they (US) agree. This will save us a lot of time and a lot of money,' said 64-year-old Marzieh M, whose son and his family are residing in Philadelphia and whom she has not seen for almost 11 years. Like other Iranians, she has to travel twice to Dubai and apply for a visa at the cost of at least 1,000 dollars per trip. Thousands of Iranians reportedly apply every month for US entry visas in Dubai and Istanbul. Although the plan to open a consular section in Tehran has not yet been confirmed by Washington, Iranians are encouraged when US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she wished to see more Iranians visiting the US. 'Meeting your children or grandchildren should have nothing to do with politics - both countries should respect the simple human will to meet beloved ones living in the US,' said Akbar S, who has not seen his daughter and grandchildren since 2001 due to the complicated process and high cost. The terrorist attacks on the US on September 11, 2001 further complicated the visa process for Iranians although Iran was not linked to the events and no Iranians were arrested in connection with the attacks. 'I had all documents they needed and all guarantees for a return (to Iran) and still I was rejected without any explanation. I am not a terrorist and just wanted to see my sister in Chicago after many years,' said Javad V from Tehran. 'If the whole process is in Tehran and even if I am rejected again, at least I do not have to pay travel costs to Dubai or Istanbul and also the Iranian government should be happy that our money stays in Iran and does not go into Arab and Turkish accounts,' he added. According to the latest regulations, applicants must first apply for a visa and then wait about eight weeks for a reply. If approved, another trip would be necessary to pick up the visa. The US consulate in Istanbul is an alternative for Iranians but unlike Dubai, Istanbul has no online registration and applicants must queue for hours. The official news agency IRNA has quoted an unnamed foreign ministry official as saying that Iran would at least consider the probable US initiative if the request was officially made through the Swiss embassy. Observers believe President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will not oppose the plan he had in January 2006 ordered the resumption of direct flights to the US after a 26-year break for facilitating family reunions. The US aviation organization however rejected the Iranian offer at that time. Iranians have to travel to and from the US via European destinations or Dubai. The new destinations were listed as New York, Los Angeles and California, with its large Iranian community and the nickname Tehran-Geles. Diplomatic relations between Iran and the US were broken off after the 444-day occupation of the US embassy in Tehran in 1979 by radical Iranian students. Since then, the two sides have viewed each other with hostility. Washington branded Tehran part of an 'axis of evil,' and a supporter of terrorism allegedly attempting to develop nuclear weapons. Iran, denying the accusations, termed the US the 'Great Satan' and an enemy of Islam and Muslims.

View blog reactions

If you liked this story please support M&C and Buzz the site on Yahoo.

Latest Headlines in Middle East

Talkback

Add your comment (no registration required)

page: 1 2 3

Is there any common sense left in Washington?Jun 25th, 2008 - 16:25:07

'There have been reports and even official signals earlier this week that US officials might open a consular section in Tehran where visas would be also be issued for Iranians wanting to visit family members and relatives in the US.'

Whoever thought this stupid idea up must be smoking crack. Iran is the worlds number 1 state sponsor of terrorism and the USA is at war with islamist terrorism. They have pledged themselves to be our enemies since 1979 and have acted to injure the USA and kill Americans since. They should be walled in, not invited here.

Report this comment

CharlesJun 25th, 2008 - 17:41:46

I think its a good idea, as long as they keep the 'check here if you or anyone you know is a member of a terrorist organization' check box. I always thought that was a good one!

But seriously, its not such a bad idea. Let them visit their relatives in the evil empire and maybe they will be surprised.

Report this comment

Good LuckJun 26th, 2008 - 07:57:36

When you're here, you're family.

Report this comment

IranianJun 26th, 2008 - 17:23:01

I am hapy now I come to Amerika.and to see my evil relatives. MAybe they weil give me beer. If I could go I give donkeykamel for. Pleese I give yous tuisue for to artifiscal vergina.

Report this comment

IraniansRelativeJun 26th, 2008 - 18:02:55

Don't you come to my house you stinking camel jockey.
Go home.
We are happy here.

Report this comment

Joe DirtJun 26th, 2008 - 18:33:55

Many Iranians reacted with great joy !!??
YOU ARE NOT WELCOME!
STAY HOME!
DO NOT come to America.
We don't need your kind.
We are perfectly happy without you and we want it to stay that way !!

Report this comment

U.S. Customs AgentJun 26th, 2008 - 18:38:41

The only way we will allow you to come over is if you are stripped naked and allow us to examine all of your orifaces for tiny bombs. Get ready to be searched time and again.

Report this comment

Swat Team MemberJun 26th, 2008 - 18:41:01

Attention all Iranians coming to America. Please disregard any small red dots you may see in your vacinity or on your bodies.
Thank you.

Report this comment

Sense!?Jun 26th, 2008 - 20:30:03

In response to 'is their any sense left in Washington'
The answer is 'NO' - their hasn't ben for quite some time now.

Report this comment

I have hardly seen stupid decisions like thisJun 30th, 2008 - 22:35:13

Less contact with SATAN, the better it is. The rogue administration of USA forbids any religeous authority of Jews, Christians and Muslims forbids contacts with this SATAN sitting in whitehouse.

Report this comment

page: 1 2 3

Add your comment (no registration required)

Latest from M&C Blogs

Second presidential debate; no 'gamechanger' ? - Global Eye on October 8, 2008 5:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Debate: did McCain do enough? - Global Eye on September 29, 2008 6:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (22) | TrackBacks (1)

Should Sen. John McCain's health records be made public? - Global Eye on September 15, 2008 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (50) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival - Estomago - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Raindance Film Festival : It's Hard To Be Nice - London Calling on October 8, 2008 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

London Film Festival - Dean Spanley - London Calling on October 6, 2008 9:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Devotee to Chinese Shrine of Sapam has face pierced - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Indian Muslims offer prayers on the occasion of Eid-al-Fitr - The World in Pictures on October 2, 2008 4:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Middle East

Iranians welcome reports of US plan for visa section

Middle East Features

Latest Headlines in Middle East

Talkback

Latest from M&C Blogs

Similar articles

In Monsters and Critics

Corporate

The Fine Print