Few American tourists are venturing to Iran, but Europeans and others have continued to travel there throughout the long years of Iran-U.S. tensions. Recently three tourists, two Germans and one Irish citizen, were kidnapped while cycling in southeastern Iran near the border with Pakistan in Sistan-Baluchistan province, an area known as a drug-smuggling route. They were abducted while heading for Zahedan on the Bam-Zahedan road. Kidnapping of foreign tourists is rare in Iran, but the southeastern region has always demanded caution, especially if traveling alone or on bicycles or motorbikes.
