Khashayer, the state department has this travel advisory on Iran:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_920.html
Is there much truth to this? My husband is always in Manila on business and has no trouble in the business district even though there is a travel advisory for the Philippines. There is also one for Israel/West Bank and everything was fine when we were there last month; in fact, it was actually less risky in Bethlehem/Jericho then Tel Aviv where they are occasional bombings.
Are there places in Iran where we should not go? Or are tourist sites just fine as in Israel/West Bank?
Just come to Iran and people will greet you as if you are one of them!
Well, I'd suggest you not to travel alone in South Eastern parts of Iran near the Pakistani borders but the rest of the country is okay!
Americans (unfortunately) can not travel alone in Iran! You should have a friend there that can take you wherever you want!
http://www.astronomywithoutborders.com/
Americans in Iran