US Den of Espionage

Tehran


The former US embassy was the focal point of the 1979 revolution, when it was stormed by students who then held 52 diplomats hostage for 444 days. Today the compound is occupied by the Student Basij Organisation dedicated to defending the revolution. It's a fascinating place to visit: the front grounds (now called the 'Museum Garden of Anti Arrogance') are plastered with colourful anti-Western propaganda posters. Part of the chancery is a museum, highlighting the spying which went on there.

This is where the 1953 coup that brought down Mohammad Mossadegh was orchestrated, and from where the last shah was supported. Anti-US and Israel, and pro-Islam murals and displays decorate the corridors and former offices. Waxwork dummies are posed in the 'glassy room' where top-secret meetings were held. Step back in time as you view the antiquated telex machines, computers and shredders used by the embassy staff in vault-like rooms.

Transportation

  • metro: Taleghani

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Tehran attractions

1. Iranian Artists' House

0.28 MILES

A hub for the contemporary and traditional arts in Tehran, this complex has several gallery spaces over two levels exhibiting works in all media on a…

2. Stars & Stripes Mural

0.69 MILES

Along with the street art on the walls of the US Den of Espionage, this several-decades-old mural has to be one of the most photographed pieces of public…

3. Sarkis Cathedral

0.79 MILES

This white, twin-spired church, a centre for Christianity in the Islamic Republic, sits at the southern edge of the city's Armenian quarter. Built between…

4. Treasury of National Jewels

1.02 MILES

Owned by the Central Bank and accessed through its front doors, the cavernous vault that houses what is commonly known as the ‘Jewels Museum’ is not to be…

5. Glass & Ceramics Museum

1.15 MILES

The Glass & Ceramics Museum is, like many of its exhibits, small but perfectly formed. The galleries walk you chronologically through the ages, with…

6. Masoudieh Palace

1.19 MILES

Built in 1879 for Naser al-Din Shah's son, who was also the governor of Esfahan, as his residence in Tehran, this lovely building and garden is in the…

7. Iranian Majlis

1.2 MILES

Also known as the People's House, the country's legislative body occupies a compound that is defined by the modern pyramid-shaped debating chamber where…

8. Madraseh va Masjed-e Sepahsalar

1.33 MILES

Just south of the Iranian majlis (parliament), this Islamic college is arguably the most noteworthy example of Persian architecture of the Qajar period,…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "iran/tehran/attractions/us-den-of-espionage/a/poi-sig/414286/361025",
      "destination": "Tehran",
      "continent": "Middle-East",
      "country": "Iran",
      "city": "Tehran",
      "position": "superzone"
    }