From navigating the harsh Australian weather to being questioned by Egyptian police, Ian Andersen faces many challenges in his journey of bike riding across the continent and recording on social media.
However, until last week, the American creator, known to his 43,300 followers as “Ridewithian,” had never fought a war with a list of possible hurdles. During a 29-day trek across Iran, Andersen found Israeli forces stuck shortly after they began a “first-hand” strike against the country.
As Iran and Israel continue to trade attacks, visitors like Andersen are rushing to find a way to safely exit the Middle East. He was among several people to document how he was able to leave the country, and he shared his journey with his followers.
@ridewithian
“I can no longer protect you. If you are stopped by the police, I should say goodbye because there’s nothing I can do,” that’s what my guide Leza said to me this morning. The boundaries are closed, except in Iraq. I have to go outside yesterday, etc. Fast Facts: Total Distance: ~10,000 miles (16,000 km) Key Gear: Stove, Tent, Patch Kit, Cigars Distance Ride Today: 0 miles (0 km) Total Distance Ride: Currently 4,328 miles (6,980 km)
♬ Original Sound – Ian Andersen – Ian Andersen
Andersen said he initially decided to continue his trip to Iran “as intended.” But then his guide, Reza, told him something that had forced him to change course. “I can no longer protect you,” Reza said. “If you’re stopped by the police, I should give you goodbye because there’s nothing I can do.”
As of Wednesday, the State Department had encouraged its citizens to “leave Iran now” and had made plans to “not rely on US government support.” Other governments have also warned citizens to leave the area when the conflict unfolds and airspace is closed. The UK advised “all trips to Iran.” Similarly, Australia says its citizens should not travel to Israel. Major US airlines like Delta and American offer rebooking options.
Some Americans in Israel were able to leave the area after Florida and nonprofits arranged flights to bring evacuees home.
Andersen said his departure was only possible for Leza, whose last name did not share to protect his safety.
“I was there for a few weeks in a country with a really good experience,” he said in a phone interview. “We are experiencing it as Iran should be.”
His first video blog from Iran, posted on June 2nd, recorded his transition from Türkiye to the country. Unlike other influencers whose content focuses on travel, Andersen has featured outstanding local cuisine, including fermented yogurt drinks, Persian omelettes and stews that showcase hospitals for Iranian people, including stews made with goat heads.
“They tried to give us free of charge and say we were their guests, but we had to argue,” Andersen explained in one video that Leza is an example of “taarov,” a form of etiquette practiced by Iranians around the world.
When he biked around the country, he also captured the landscape, spoke to viewers about the effects of sanctions, asking, “What happens when the country is cut off from the global economy for decades?”
The light and fun tone of his videos began to change a week ago while he was in Charles. Many of his followers began to share concerns and comment about his safety.
“In fact, we’re all sad because this is happening,” Reza said in one video after hearing the news of the attack. “But hope for a world without war… Everyone needs a peaceful world.”
The two headed to Tehran to try to sort out their Afghan visas. Afghanistan was the next country on Andersen’s itinerary.
“It’s amazing that even after such an event, we know about the emergency. People are very friendly,” Andersen says the two people eating near them brought their meals and claimed they would share them with them.
Information available in Iran was initially unknown, leaving Andersen with a question. Iran has entered an almost identical internet blackout this week, limiting Iranians’ ability to access and share information with the outside world.
The situation was quickly described in another video as “too dangerous,” and he and Reza decided not to go to Tehran.
“It ended up being a good call, because “the days have passed and there have been more and more attacks,” Andersen recalls last week, telling NBC News.
“There were a lot of rumours flying around about what was open,” he added. “When you get to the border, is it like one of the requirements? If you can get a visa, just get through.
He was eventually able to pass through Azerbaijan and with the help of Reza to leave. He said without Reza, “I probably wouldn’t be talking here.”
“I’m out and I’m so grateful for all your prayers, messages and support,” Andersen wrote in a recent video update. “I am honored to follow this journey and care about my happiness here in the Middle East…and finally, my Iranian guide Leza – no one had on my side.”
Andersen said that since he left the country, his ideas have been with people from both Iran and Israel, “thinking about all those who have no choice to leave as if I were to leave.”
UK-based influencers Nadia Ahtar and Irfan Aziz were in Iran when the strike began, passing the Tiktok handle “Field Fridijon,” which has 60,000 followers.
The couple, who were not available for interviews, were traveling with their young son Zacharya. They soon realized they had last entered the country on an incoming flight and soon had front row seats for an attack from their balcony.
“The Iranian forces were intercepting an Israeli drone just above us,” Aziz said in the video. “That night we realised that this was not normal and it must have been something that had happened before. We had to start thinking about the exit plan.”
The advice they got from the staff was simple: “Go out now.” Like Andersen, they said they leaned over to help them out of their guide, Ali, to help them get out.
Aziz said at 1:30am that night they “drived all night” along with Ali to reach the Turkish border “despite his zero sleep.”
“The reality of the situation began as I approached Tabriz, seven hours from Tehran,” Aziz said in the video, adding that he saw smoke rising in various areas around him.
“Local people said five fighters bombed the cement factory at 5am. It’s really not safe,” he added.
Akhtar and Aziz described their goodbye as “emotional” in their guide when they finally reached the Turkish border.
“We just met, but he sacrificed the safety of his family and left them behind in Tehran to help us,” Aziz says of the experience in part two of his video series. “And for this we are forever grateful to him, but not everyone has the privilege of leaving like us.
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