The original ban on traveling to the Jewish state, usually referred to by Iran as the "Zionist regime,” was inaugurated by the Shah in 1972, who did not want Iranians to visit communist countries.
Is the above correct?
If there was a "ban on travelling to the Jewish state inaugurated by the Shah in 1972", then I'd like to know how come our Iranian Jewish neighbours in Iran, and other ordinary Iranians, were able to freely travel to Israel during that time?!
As far as I know Iran officially recognised Israel in 1950 and until 1980. Thereafter, Khomeini's (Islamic) regime withdrew the official recognition.
In fact, I thought Iran during the late Shah was the 1st (maybe 2nd) country in the ME to officially recognise Israel after Israel's formation in 1948. Also, Iran had close ties w/ Israel during those years, even when Israel was at war with Arab states. Actually, IIRC, the Shah was a key person who encouraged Anwar Sadat (Egypt) to make peace with Israel?
The late-Shah accorded Israel an unofficial embassy status in Tehran and the Israeli representative all the privileges, diplomatic status and respect of an Ambassador.
Having been there on several occasions (so long ago), I remember the video security camera which was rare in those days and an intercom connection to their security before they let you in and if I remember correctly a narrow metal (steel?) door in the outer wall of a modest enough building on a narrowish street.
Eventually taken over by Yasser Arafart as his Tehran office after the Khomeini revolution.