The government of Iran has issued a diplomatic visa to Adventure Journey writer Joseph Jackson, 24--the first time since the 1980 hostage crisis that such a visa has been issued to a U.S. citizen.

Anthon Jackson in Iran

The government of Iran last week issued a handful of diplomatic visas to a small group of Westerners, mostly members of the tourism industry. An American journalist, Joseph Anthon Jackson, also received a diplomatic visa--the first time any American has received one since the 1980 Iranian hostage crisis.

Anthon Jackson, 24, is a writer for Adventure Journey, an online adventure travel magazine known as "The Extreme Traveler's Handbook." For the past several days, Jackson has been chronicling his historic visit to Iran with photos and blog posts on Adventure Journey's website. A feature article has been scheduled to appear on Thursday of this week on the site.

Jackson was invited to Iran as part of a special tourism conference and country tour organized by a group of Iranian tour operators. According to the conference's website, the event was designed to bridge the differences between the United States and Iran through tourism. Sources among the conference's organizers said that it took several years to convince Iranian governmental authorities that the conference was a good idea.

In addition to seeing the sights and conducting interviews with local Iranians, Jackson met with several Iranian governmental dignitaries, including one of the country's Vice-Presidents. He visited sites across the country, had run-ins with the local police, mingled with regular Iranians on the streets, and visited the former U.S. Embassy--or "U.S. Den of Espionage," as it is known in Tehran today.

Anthon Jackson's blog, photos, and feature article detailing his singular experience as an American in Iran holding a diplomatic visa can be viewed at http://www.AdventureJourney.net.
 

... Payvand News - 12/09/08 ...

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