Travel advisories are common in the world today as countries warn their citizens of dangerous areas where there is high crime or ongoing rebellions or violent disputes. But Iran’s warning was very different because it was so broad.
Furthermore, the warning was addressed not just to travelers but to expatriates as well and cautioned them against taking jobs or citizenship in other countries.
The advisory said, “In line with the policy of fully protecting the rights of compatriots in foreign countries and in view of anti-Iranian activities of Western intelligence and security organizations over recent years, as a result of which a number of Iranian citizens have been caught in their security traps, [the Foreign Ministry] advises all citizens who intend to travel abroad to refuse financial, job, trade, residence and citizenship offers and other tempting offers that are made by strangers and consult with their lawyers or Islamic Republic of Iran’s embassies and consulates in this regard.”