Iran offers cash to U.S. tourists

[voivod]

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- Iran will offer cash incentives to travel agencies to encourage Western tourists to visit the country, giving a premium for Americans, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

The Islamic republic's political leadership has been trying to reach out to ordinary Americans to show that a standoff over Iran's nuclear ambitions is with the Bush administration -- not U.S. citizens.

The latest initiative comes as the United Nations Security Council deliberates a draft resolution that would impose sanctions on Iran for its disputed nuclear program.

"Iran's tourism department will pay $20 per person to those who attract European or American tourists to the country," the agency on Tuesday quoted Mohammed Sharif Malakzadeh, deputy head of the department, as saying.

Visitors from other countries would earn travel agents $10 per tourist, Malakzadeh said.

Last week, Iran's fiercely anti-U.S. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad expressed opposition to a bill that would require Americans to be fingerprinted on arrival in Iran.

The bill, which passed a preliminary reading in the Iranian parliament earlier this month, was drafted by conservatives who sought to retaliate for U.S. requirements that Iranian visitors be fingerprinted. It has not been debated yet.

The U.S. measure, which also applies to nationals of some other countries, was implemented in 2002 in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington.

In an earlier attempt to reach out to Americans, Ahmadinejad in January proposed the resumption of direct commercial flights between Iran and the United States, which were halted more than 25 years ago.

The United States and Iran have not had diplomatic relations since Iranian militants stormed the American Embassy in Tehran in 1979.

The atmosphere between the two countries improved marginally under former President Mohammad Khatami, who encouraged sports and cultural exchanges, but it deteriorated after the Sept. 11 attacks, when President Bush declared that Iran belonged to an "axis of evil" with Iraq and North Korea.

Since taking office last year, Ahmadinejad has widened the gap with Washington by taking a hard-line position on Iran's nuclear program and calling for Israel's destruction.

[ZeoBandit]

Two words: HELL NO.

[the_atomic_punks_rule]

Yeah, so I was trying to book my Spring Break trip to Cancun and instead my agent kept bringing up how this years hot spot was Tehran. I

[OLO]

You could not pay me enough to go to Iran.

[sisca]

yeah i can see it now. they put a shitload of Americans in one hotel, get it nice and full, then some towel headed fucking group of muslims bomb it. nice try, iran. we're not that stupid.

[Axxman300]

Come on, gang. Iran has some great skiing, mountain climbing, water skiing and crazy women.

How are we ever going to undermine the Mullahs if we don't get our decadent-western asses over there?

Van Halen Akbahr!!

[willy4pres]

Ill go on one condition. I get to flip out and kill anyone that I feel offends me.

[FORD]

Ill go on one condition. I get to flip out and kill anyone that I feel offends me.

That's the law in FLORIDA, not Iran!

[smithjc]

Extra cash you say?

Well I could certainly use the extra dough for that VH tour I keep hearing about.........................................

What are they? On dope?

[voivod]

Come on, gang. Iran has some great skiing, mountain climbing, water skiing and crazy women.

How are we ever going to undermine the Mullahs if we don't get our decadent-western asses over there?

Van Halen Akbahr!!

Think of the VIRGINS!!

[WinterlessIceness]

Yeah but first look at them

[timmac]

What they're not telling you is, the $20 that they give you is taken from your own wallet, after they kidnap you and threaten the usual beheading.

[ZeoBandit]

Think of the VIRGINS!!

Hmmm.... Virgins.

*drool*

[Darkstar]

Yeah but first look at them

Yeah, they're virgins for a reason!!! How 'bout they just send me the cash and let me stay at home?

[Axxman300]

Yeah but first look at them

One of my ex-girlfriends was Iranian. Her sister was even hotter.