The Islamic Republic of Iran is set to remove visa rules and requirements for 33 countries in an unprecedented move.
This will see citizens from countries including Gulf countries and Croatia travel to Iran without applying for a visa to help boost tourism.
“The Ministry of Tourism believes that an open-door policy will showcase Iran’s determination to engage with different countries around the world,” the semiofficial ISNA reported.
The number is expected to increase to 45 countries, the report said.
The move will strengthen the newfound friendship between Iran and Saudi Arabia, as Saudi Arabia is part of the country that will benefit from the new visa rules.
Nationals of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar are included in the decision to waive visa requirements, in addition to Bahrain, with which Tehran has not yet reestablished full ties.
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“Russians will only profit from this visa exemption if they are visiting the country in groups,” ISNA said.
The countries on the list are: India, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, Russia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, and Belarus.
The Latin American countries on the list are Brazil, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, and Venezuela. Tunisia, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, and the Seychelles. Iran looks to open up to benefit from tourism, just as its Gulf neighbors do.