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From the navigation of difficult time in Australia to an interrogation by the police in Egypt, Ian Andersen has faced many challenges in his travels to cycle on the continents and to document them on social networks.
But the American creator, known as “Ridewithian” to his 4,33,000 subscribers on Tiktok, never had war on his possible obstacle list – until last week. In the middle of his 29 -day trek through Iran, Andersen found himself stuck just after Israeli forces began a “Preventive” strike on the country.
As Iran and Israel continue to exchange attacksVisitors like Andersen have scrambled to find ways to get out safely from the Middle East. He was one of several people to document how he was able to leave the country, and he shared his trip with followers.
Andersen said that at the beginning, he was determined to continue His trip to Iran “as planned”. But then his guide, Reza, told him something that made him change course. “I can’t protect you anymore,” said Reza, according to Andersen. “If you are arrested by the police, I should just review, because I can’t do anything.”
On Wednesday, the State Department advised citizens to “leave Iran now” and have plans that “do not count on the help of the American government”. Other governments have also warned their citizens to leave the region as the conflict takes place and the airspace closes. The United Kingdom has advised “All travel to Iran. “Likewise, Australia said its citizens should not travel to Israel. The main American carriers as Delta And the Americans offered rejection options.
A few Americans in Israel have also been able to leave the region After the state of Florida and a non -profit organization, organized a flight to bring the evacuated home.
Andersen said that his departure was only possible because of Reza, whose surname he did not share to protect his security and the help of the State Department.
“I had a few weeks there in the country of good really positive experiences,” he said during a telephone interview. “Living Iran as it should be lived.”
His first Vlog of Iran, published on June 2 recorded it Cross the country from Türkiye. A bit like other influencers whose content focuses on travel, Andersen also posted while trying Different local kitchens – including a fermented yogurt drink, a Persian omelet And Kaleh Pacheh, a stew made with a goat head – and show the hospitality of the Iranian people.
“They tried to give us for free and said that we are their guests, but we had to insist,” explains Andersen in a video, what Reza explains is an example of The “ta’arof”, “ A form of label practiced by Iranians around the world.
While bicycle across the country, he too captured the landscape and spoke to viewers of the impact of sanctions, ask for a video“What happens when a country is cut off from the global economy for decades?”
The light and fun tone of his videos started to move a week ago While he was in Chalus. Many of his disciples have started to comment, sharing concerns about his security.
“In fact, we are all sad because it happens,” Reza said in a video after learning the news of the attack. “But hope the world without war. … Everyone needs a peaceful world.”
The two headed for Tehran to try to sort a visa for Afghanistan, which was the next country of Andersen’s itinerary.
“It is surprising that even after such an event, you know, an emergency, that people are very friendly,” said Andersen after two people eating near them bring them a meal and insist that they share with them.
The information that was available in Iran was not clear, and that left Andersen with questions. Iran has plunged in a used breakdown on the internet almost total This week, limiting the ability of Iranians to access and share information with the outside world.
The situation quickly became “too dangerous,” said Andersen in another video, and he and Reza decided not to go to Tehran.
“It ended up being a good call, because there have been more and more attacks over the days,” Andersen told NBC News, thinking about his last week.
“There were a lot of rumors that stole on what borders could be opened,” he added. “Like, what, as one of the requirements once you arrive on the border? As if you can get a visa, if you can simply go through a lifeline via an email from the State Department to enter Azerbaijan.”
He was finally able to leave Azerbaijan with the help of Reza, who led them to the border. He said he “would probably not be here to speak” without Reza.
“I went out and really grateful for all your prayers, messages and support,” wrote Andersen in a recent video update. “It is an honor to make you follow this trip and to worry about my well-being here in the Middle East. … And finally, to my Iranian guide Reza-there is no one I prefer to have by my side.”
Andersen said that since he had left the country, his thoughts continue to be with the inhabitants of Iran and Israel and that he “also thinks of all the people who do not have the opportunity to leave, like me”.
British influencers Nadia Akhtar and Irfan Aziz, who go through the Manage “fielddofvisions” on Tiktok, Where they had 60,000 subscribers, were also in Iran when the strikes started.
The couple, who was not available for an interview, was traveling with their young son, Zakariya. They quickly realized that they were among the last to enter the country on an incoming flight and quickly had a first row seat for attacks on their balcony.
“Iranian forces intercepted Israeli drones just above us,” said Aziz in a video. “That night, we realized that it was not normal and it was nothing like what happened. We had to start thinking about an outing plan.”
The advice they received from officials were simple: “Go out now.” Like Andersen,, They said they were leaning on the help From their guide, Ali, to help them get out.
Aziz said that at 1:30 am that evening, They led with Ali “all night despite the zero sleep” To get to the Turkish border.
“It is when we approached Tabriz, seven hours from Tehran, the reality of the situation began,” said Aziz in the video, adding that they have seen smoke rising in different areas that surround them.
“The inhabitants told us that five fighter planes had bombed a cement factory at 5 am. Nowhere was it really safe,” he added.
Akhtar and Aziz described their farewell to their guide when they finally reached the border of Turkey as “emotional”.
“Even if we had just met, he sacrificed the security of his own family, leaving them in Tehran to help us”, Aziz said in the second part of his video series on the experience. “And for that, we will be forever grateful to him. But not everyone has the privilege of leaving like us. Millions of people like Ali are at the end of the war that have nothing to do with them.”
