Music & photos in Iran

Hi!

I'm currently planning a possible trip to Iran (most likely in April), and on some topics there seems to be a lot of conflicting information on the web. My two main questions currently are about taking photos and bringing a music carrier into Iran.

• Photos: some sources say it is strictly prohibited to photograph government and military institutions, others say also photos of Iranian citizens can bring both them and the traveler in jeopardy. I've seen a few sources claiming cameras, smartphones etc. to be checked for unlawful photos upon leaving the country. To what extent is this true?
• Music: western music is mostly prohibited in Iran, though available on the black market. Wikitravel says customs may confiscate music carriers such as CDs when taken into the country. How will this work if I'd bring a smartphone or mp3 player with music on it for personal use into the country on my travels? Is there any chance at all this will be checked, or is that grossly exaggerated?

Thanks in advance!

Simply Grossly exaggerated. If you do not interview with people, supporting the idea lack of enough freedom in Iran, or anything in a exact counter to religion, nothing would happen for you.
Take any photos, from anybody (except military bases, do not take photos when you are in metro also).
And play and listen to any music! :)

If you ever come to Varzaneh, I would be happy to show you a bit of around for free... .

Sina

do not worry at all!! your fears are ungrounded... i have been there for 17 days last month and took all pictures i wanted without anybody ever saying anything. Of course avoid taking pictures of military facilities, since that is problematic everywhere, not just Iran.

As for music, i took all my music with me on my phone (without any problems), also, all the people that i met there were listening to all sorts of music (western and persian)

I think that the rumors you heard are once more a western misrepresentation of what may be happening in Iran without any foundation..

Iran is not North Korean .Do what you love but Keep it for yourself . no body has time to check those . be sure that if you don't do any crime no body does nothing to you. don't take pics from military Places (they have Sign Labels ) i think this is Prohibited even in Switzerland :) .

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