Middle East - Visiting Iran - do I need to worry about access to Cash/Credit Cards

Someone told that due to the embargo, US based credit cards/ATM cards may experience "problems". Can someone comment?

If by problems you mean no access whatsoever, than yes, problems.

Its not just US cards, its any foreign cards.

You MUST bring cash to Iran (apart from some expensive carpet shops in Esfahan that take credit cards). USD is best, EUR second best. There are moneychangers everywhere.

When I was there in August, 100USD got you 1,200,000 rials or 120 khomeinis.

I was in Iran last week.

100 USD = 1,300,000 Rials
100 GBP = 2,100,000 Rials

No credit cards accepted anywhere except a very few top hotels and carpet shops (they call Dubai and run the card there).

Ugh.

Even at the hotels?

I don't like carrying cash. I'm guessing also ATM cards won't work? (US/Europe)

How about travellers checks?

Does this apply to US/European cards only? (will a card from switzerland work?)

Thanks

Ugh.

Even at the hotels?

I don't like carrying cash. I'm guessing also ATM cards won't work? (US/Europe)

How about travellers checks?

Does this apply to US/European cards only? (will a card from switzerland work?)

Thanks

Even at hotels
ATM cards wont work
Travellers Checks are useless (people still use them????)
No, all foreign cards

CASH ONLY. Period.


You can thank western governments for this stupidity.

This is worse than I thought. Talk about being "cut off"