Overview

• Ian Andersen, a Minnesota native behind the RideWithIan YouTube channel, was cycling north of Tehran to raise funds for spinal cord research when Israel struck Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran responded with missile fire.
• Facing closed land borders and fuel shortages, he traveled under cover of explosions with local guide Reza, speaking Spanish to conceal his American identity.
• A U.S. Embassy staffer in Baku secured emergency approval for his Azerbaijani visa, permitting entry after five years of closed borders.
• The conflict has killed at least 250 people and injured hundreds more, leading to border sealing and widespread travel cancellations.
• Washington has weighed military support for Israel, Russia warned against U.S. involvement and Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei threatened retaliation over potential American intervention.